1
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Islam S, Parves MR, Islam MJ, Ali MA, Efaz FM, Hossain MS, Ullah MO, Halim MA. Structural and functional effects of the L84S mutant in the SARS-COV-2 ORF8 dimer based on microsecond molecular dynamics study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:5770-5787. [PMID: 37403295 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2228919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
The L84S mutation has been observed frequently in the ORF8 protein of SARS-CoV-2, which is an accessory protein involved in various important functions such as virus propagation, pathogenesis, and evading the immune response. However, the specific effects of this mutation on the dimeric structure of ORF8 and its impacts on interactions with host components and immune responses are not well understood. In this study, we performed one microsecond molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and analyzed the dimeric behavior of the L84S and L84A mutants in comparison to the native protein. The MD simulations revealed that both mutations caused changes in the conformation of the ORF8 dimer, influenced protein folding mechanisms, and affected the overall structural stability. In particular, the 73YIDI76 motif has found to be significantly affected by the L84S mutation, leading to structural flexibility in the region connecting the C-terminal β4 and β5 strands. This flexibility might be responsible for virus immune modulation. The free energy landscape (FEL) and principle component analysis (PCA) have also supported our investigation. Overall, the L84S and L84A mutations affect the ORF8 dimeric interfaces by reducing the frequency of protein-protein interacting residues (Arg52, Lys53, Arg98, Ile104, Arg115, Val117, Asp119, Phe120, and Ile121) in the ORF8 dimer. Our findings provide detail insights for further research in designing structure-based therapeutics against the SARS-CoV-2.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafiqul Islam
- Division of Infectious disease and Division of Computer Aided Drug Design, The Red-Green Research Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Rimon Parves
- Division of Infectious disease and Division of Computer Aided Drug Design, The Red-Green Research Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Jahirul Islam
- Division of Infectious disease and Division of Computer Aided Drug Design, The Red-Green Research Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Ackas Ali
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA
| | - Faiyaz Md Efaz
- Division of Infectious disease and Division of Computer Aided Drug Design, The Red-Green Research Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Shahadat Hossain
- Division of Infectious disease and Division of Computer Aided Drug Design, The Red-Green Research Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - M Obayed Ullah
- Division of Infectious disease and Division of Computer Aided Drug Design, The Red-Green Research Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad A Halim
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA
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2
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Dishaw LJ, Litman GW, Liberti A. Tethering of soluble immune effectors to mucin and chitin reflects a convergent and dynamic role in gut immunity. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230078. [PMID: 38497268 PMCID: PMC10945408 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The immune system employs soluble effectors to shape luminal spaces. Antibodies are soluble molecules that effect immunological responses, including neutralization, opsonization, antibody-dependent cytotoxicity and complement activation. These molecules are comprised of immunoglobulin (Ig) domains. The N-terminal Ig domains recognize antigen, and the C-terminal domains facilitate their elimination through phagocytosis (opsonization). A less-recognized function mediated by the C-terminal Ig domains of the IgG class of antibodies (Fc region) involves the formation of multiple low-affinity bonds with the mucus matrix. This association anchors the antibody molecule to the matrix to entrap potential pathogens. Even though invertebrates are not known to have antibodies, protochordates have a class of secreted molecules containing Ig domains that can bind bacteria and potentially serve a similar purpose. The VCBPs (V region-containing chitin-binding proteins) possess a C-terminal chitin-binding domain that helps tether them to chitin-rich mucus gels, mimicking the IgG-mediated Fc trapping of microbes in mucus. The broad functional similarity of these structurally divergent, Ig-containing, secreted effectors makes a case for a unique form of convergent evolution within chordates. This opinion essay highlights emerging evidence that divergent secreted immune effectors with Ig-like domains evolved to manage immune recognition at mucosal surfaces in strikingly similar ways. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sculpting the microbiome: how host factors determine and respond to microbial colonization'.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. J. Dishaw
- Morsani College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Children's Research Institute, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - G. W. Litman
- Morsani College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Children's Research Institute, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - A. Liberti
- Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80122 Naples, Italy
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3
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Goldstein SA, Feeley TM, Babler KM, Hilbert ZA, Downhour DM, Moshiri N, Elde NC. Hidden evolutionary constraints dictate the retention of coronavirus accessory genes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.12.561935. [PMID: 37873270 PMCID: PMC10592793 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.12.561935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Coronaviruses exhibit many mechanisms of genetic innovation (1-5), including the acquisition of accessory genes that originate by capture of cellular genes or through duplication of existing viral genes (6,7). Accessory genes influence viral host range and cellular tropism, but little is known about how selection acts on these variable regions of virus genomes. We used experimental evolution of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) encoding a cellular AKAP7 phosphodiesterase and an inactive native phosphodiesterase, NS2 (ref 8) to simulate the capture of a host gene and analyze its evolution. After courses of serial infection, the gene encoding inactive NS2, ORF2, unexpectedly remained intact, suggesting it is under cryptic constraint uncoupled from the function of NS2. In contrast, AKAP7 was retained under strong selection but rapidly lost under relaxed selection. Guided by the retention of ORF2 and similar patterns in related betacoronaviruses, we analyzed ORF8 of SARS-CoV-2, which arose via gene duplication6 and contains premature stop codons in several globally successful lineages. As with MHV ORF2, the coding-defective SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 gene remains largely intact, mirroring patterns observed during MHV experimental evolution, challenging assumptions on the dynamics of gene loss in virus genomes and extending these findings to viruses currently adapting to humans.
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4
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Tillis SB, Ossiboff RJ, Wellehan JFX. Serpentoviruses Exhibit Diverse Organization and ORF Composition with Evidence of Recombination. Viruses 2024; 16:310. [PMID: 38400085 PMCID: PMC10892116 DOI: 10.3390/v16020310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Serpentoviruses are a subfamily of positive sense RNA viruses in the order Nidovirales, family Tobaniviridae, associated with respiratory disease in multiple clades of reptiles. While the broadest viral diversity is reported from captive pythons, other reptiles, including colubrid snakes, turtles, and lizards of captive and free-ranging origin are also known hosts. To better define serpentoviral diversity, eleven novel serpentovirus genomes were sequenced with an Illumina MiSeq and, when necessary, completed with other Sanger sequencing methods. The novel serpentoviral genomes, along with 57 other previously published serpentovirus genomes, were analyzed alongside four outgroup genomes. Genomic analyses included identifying unique genome templates for each serpentovirus clade, as well as analysis of coded protein composition, potential protein function, protein glycosylation sites, differences in phylogenetic history between open-reading frames, and recombination. Serpentoviral genomes contained diverse protein compositions. In addition to the fundamental structural spike, matrix, and nucleoprotein proteins required for virion formation, serpentovirus genomes also included 20 previously uncharacterized proteins. The uncharacterized proteins were homologous to a number of previously characterized proteins, including enzymes, transcription factors, scaffolding, viral resistance, and apoptosis-related proteins. Evidence for recombination was detected in multiple instances in genomes from both captive and free-ranging snakes. These results show serpentovirus as a diverse clade of viruses with genomes that code for a wide diversity of proteins potentially enhanced by recombination events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven B. Tillis
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA; (R.J.O.); (J.F.X.W.J.)
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5
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Medvedeva S, Borrel G, Krupovic M, Gribaldo S. A compendium of viruses from methanogenic archaea reveals their diversity and adaptations to the gut environment. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:2170-2182. [PMID: 37749252 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01485-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Methanogenic archaea are major producers of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and biofuel, and are widespread in diverse environments, including the animal gut. The ecophysiology of methanogens is likely impacted by viruses, which remain, however, largely uncharacterized. Here we carried out a global investigation of viruses associated with all current diversity of methanogens by assembling an extensive CRISPR database consisting of 156,000 spacers. We report 282 high-quality (pro)viral and 205 virus-like/plasmid sequences assigned to hosts belonging to ten main orders of methanogenic archaea. Viruses of methanogens can be classified into 87 families, underscoring a still largely undiscovered genetic diversity. Viruses infecting gut-associated archaea provide evidence of convergence in adaptation with viruses infecting gut-associated bacteria. These viruses contain a large repertoire of lysin proteins that cleave archaeal pseudomurein and are enriched in glycan-binding domains (Ig-like/Flg_new) and diversity-generating retroelements. The characterization of this vast repertoire of viruses paves the way towards a better understanding of their role in regulating methanogen communities globally, as well as the development of much-needed genetic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Medvedeva
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Borrel
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Paris, France.
| | - Mart Krupovic
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unit Archaeal Virology, Paris, France.
| | - Simonetta Gribaldo
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Paris, France.
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6
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Cecchetto R, Tonon E, Medaina N, Turri G, Diani E, Piccaluga PP, Salomoni A, Conti M, Tacconelli E, Lagni A, Lotti V, Favarato M, Gibellini D. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Δ426 ORF8 Deletion Mutant Cluster in NGS Screening. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2378. [PMID: 37894036 PMCID: PMC10609088 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) from SARS-CoV-2-positive swabs collected during the last months of 2022 revealed a large deletion spanning ORF7b and ORF8 (426 nt) in six patients infected with the BA.5.1 Omicron variant. This extensive genome loss removed a large part of these two genes, maintaining in frame the first 22 aminoacids of ORF7b and the last three aminoacids of ORF8. Interestingly, the deleted region was flanked by two small repeats, which were likely involved in the formation of a hairpin structure. Similar rearrangements, comparable in size and location to the deletion, were also identified in 15 sequences in the NCBI database. In this group, seven out of 15 cases from the USA and Switzerland presented both the BA.5.1 variant and the same 426 nucleotides deletion. It is noteworthy that three out of six cases were detected in patients with immunodeficiency, and it is conceivable that this clinical condition could promote the replication and selection of these mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Cecchetto
- Microbiology Section, Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (R.C.); (E.T.); (A.L.); (V.L.); (D.G.)
- UOC Microbiology Unit, AOUI Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (N.M.); (G.T.)
| | - Emil Tonon
- Microbiology Section, Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (R.C.); (E.T.); (A.L.); (V.L.); (D.G.)
- UOC Microbiology Unit, AOUI Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (N.M.); (G.T.)
| | - Nicoletta Medaina
- UOC Microbiology Unit, AOUI Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (N.M.); (G.T.)
| | - Giona Turri
- UOC Microbiology Unit, AOUI Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (N.M.); (G.T.)
| | - Erica Diani
- Microbiology Section, Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (R.C.); (E.T.); (A.L.); (V.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Pier Paolo Piccaluga
- Hematopathology Section, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Experimental Medicine, Bologna University, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Angela Salomoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, 35020 Padua, Italy;
| | - Michela Conti
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (M.C.); (E.T.)
| | - Evelina Tacconelli
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (M.C.); (E.T.)
| | - Anna Lagni
- Microbiology Section, Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (R.C.); (E.T.); (A.L.); (V.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Virginia Lotti
- Microbiology Section, Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (R.C.); (E.T.); (A.L.); (V.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Mosé Favarato
- Molecular Diagnostics and Genetics, AULSS 3 Serenissima, 30174 Venice, Italy;
| | - Davide Gibellini
- Microbiology Section, Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (R.C.); (E.T.); (A.L.); (V.L.); (D.G.)
- UOC Microbiology Unit, AOUI Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (N.M.); (G.T.)
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7
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Wu F, Chen X, Ma Y, Wu Y, Li R, Huang Y, Zhang R, Zhou Y, Zhan J, Liu S, Xu W. Glycosylated, Lipid-Binding, CDR-Like Domains of SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 Indicate Unique Sites of Immune Regulation. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0123423. [PMID: 37318366 PMCID: PMC10434001 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01234-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has posed a significant threat to human health and the global economy since the end of 2019. Unfortunately, due to the virus's rapid evolution, preventingand controlling the epidemic remains challenging. The ORF8 protein is a unique accessory protein in SARS-CoV-2 that plays a crucial role in immune regulation, but its molecular details are still largely unknown. In this study, we successfully expressed SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 in mammalian cells and determined its structure using X-ray crystallography at a resolution of 2.3 Å. Our findings reveal several novel features of ORF8. We found that four pairs of disulfide bonds and glycosylation at residue N78 are essential for stabilizing ORF8's protein structure. Additionally, we identified a lipid-binding pocket and three functional loops that tend to form CDR-like domains that may interact with immune-related proteins to regulate the host immune system. On cellular experiments also demonstrated that glycosylation at N78 regulats of ORF8's ability to bind to monocytes cells. These novel features of ORF8 provide structural insights to into its immune-related function and may serve as new targets for developing ORF8-mediated immune regulation inhibitors. IMPORTANCE COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 virus, has triggered a global outbreak. The virus's continuous mutation increases its infectivity and may be directly related to the immune escape response of viral proteins. In this study, we used X-ray crystallography to determine the structure of SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 protein, a unique accessory protein expressed in mammalian cells, at a resolution of 2.3 Å. Our novel structure reveals important structure details that shed light on ORF8's involvement in immune regulation, including conservation disulfide bonds, a glycosylation site at N78, a lipid-binding pocket, and three functional loops that tend to form CDR-like domains that may interact with immune-related proteins to modulate the host immune system. We also conducted preliminary validation experiments on immune cells. These new insights into ORF8's structure and function provide potential targets for developing inhibitors to block the ORF8-mediated immune regulation between viral protein and host, ultimately contributing to the development of novel therapeutics for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanhong Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuzhe Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanwei Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaoqi Zhou
- Institute for Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian Zhan
- Institute for Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuwen Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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8
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Bykova A, Saura A, Glazko GV, Roche-Lima A, Yurchenko V, Rogozin IB. The 29-nucleotide deletion in SARS-CoV: truncated versions of ORF8 are under purifying selection. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:387. [PMID: 37430204 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09482-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accessory proteins have diverse roles in coronavirus pathobiology. One of them in SARS-CoV (the causative agent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2002-2003) is encoded by the open reading frame 8 (ORF8). Among the most dramatic genomic changes observed in SARS-CoV isolated from patients during the peak of the pandemic in 2003 was the acquisition of a characteristic 29-nucleotide deletion in ORF8. This deletion cause splitting of ORF8 into two smaller ORFs, namely ORF8a and ORF8b. Functional consequences of this event are not entirely clear. RESULTS Here, we performed evolutionary analyses of ORF8a and ORF8b genes and documented that in both cases the frequency of synonymous mutations was greater than that of nonsynonymous ones. These results suggest that ORF8a and ORF8b are under purifying selection, thus proteins translated from these ORFs are likely to be functionally important. Comparisons with several other SARS-CoV genes revealed that another accessory gene, ORF7a, has a similar ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous mutations suggesting that ORF8a, ORF8b, and ORF7a are under similar selection pressure. CONCLUSIONS Our results for SARS-CoV echo the known excess of deletions in the ORF7a-ORF7b-ORF8 complex of accessory genes in SARS-CoV-2. A high frequency of deletions in this gene complex might reflect recurrent searches in "functional space" of various accessory protein combinations that may eventually produce more advantageous configurations of accessory proteins similar to the fixed deletion in the SARS-CoV ORF8 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastassia Bykova
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, 710 00, Czech Republic
| | - Andreu Saura
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, 710 00, Czech Republic
| | - Galina V Glazko
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Abiel Roche-Lima
- Center for Collaborative Research in Health Disparities-RCMI Program, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, 00936, USA
| | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, 710 00, Czech Republic.
| | - Igor B Rogozin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA.
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9
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Wu X, Manske MK, Ruan GJ, Witter TL, Nowakowski KE, Abeykoon JP, Tang X, Yu Y, Gwin KA, Wu A, Taupin V, Bhardwaj V, Paludo J, Dasari S, Dong H, Ansell SM, Badley AD, Schellenberg MJ, Witzig TE. Secreted ORF8 induces monocytic pro-inflammatory cytokines through NLRP3 pathways in patients with severe COVID-19. iScience 2023; 26:106929. [PMID: 37260746 PMCID: PMC10193824 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive research, the specific factor associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection that mediates the life-threatening inflammatory cytokine response in patients with severe COVID-19 remains unidentified. Herein we demonstrate that the virus-encoded Open Reading Frame 8 (ORF8) protein is abundantly secreted as a glycoprotein in vitro and in symptomatic patients with COVID-19. ORF8 specifically binds to the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) in CD14+ monocytes to induce inflammasomal cytokine/chemokine responses including IL1β, IL8, and CCL2. Levels of ORF8 protein in the blood correlate with severity and disease-specific mortality in patients with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, the ORF8-induced inflammasome response was readily inhibited by the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 in vitro. Our study identifies a dominant cause of pathogenesis, its underlying mechanism, and a potential new treatment strategy for severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosheng Wu
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Michelle K Manske
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Gordon J Ruan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Taylor L Witter
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Kevin E Nowakowski
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Jithma P Abeykoon
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Xinyi Tang
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Yue Yu
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Kimberly A Gwin
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Annie Wu
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Vanessa Taupin
- Electron Microscopy Core, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Vaishali Bhardwaj
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Jonas Paludo
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Surendra Dasari
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Haidong Dong
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Stephen M Ansell
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Andrew D Badley
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | | | - Thomas E Witzig
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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10
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Kakavandi S, Zare I, VaezJalali M, Dadashi M, Azarian M, Akbari A, Ramezani Farani M, Zalpoor H, Hajikhani B. Structural and non-structural proteins in SARS-CoV-2: potential aspects to COVID-19 treatment or prevention of progression of related diseases. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:110. [PMID: 37189112 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01104-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a new member of the Coronaviridae family known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There are structural and non-structural proteins (NSPs) in the genome of this virus. S, M, H, and E proteins are structural proteins, and NSPs include accessory and replicase proteins. The structural and NSP components of SARS-CoV-2 play an important role in its infectivity, and some of them may be important in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases, including cancer, coagulation disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. The SARS-CoV-2 proteins interact with targets such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 can stimulate pathological intracellular signaling pathways by triggering transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), neuropilin-1 (NRP-1), CD147, and Eph receptors, which play important roles in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis, and multiple cancers such as glioblastoma, lung malignancies, and leukemias. Several compounds such as polyphenols, doxazosin, baricitinib, and ruxolitinib could inhibit these interactions. It has been demonstrated that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has a stronger affinity for human ACE2 than the spike protein of SARS-CoV, leading the current study to hypothesize that the newly produced variant Omicron receptor-binding domain (RBD) binds to human ACE2 more strongly than the primary strain. SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) viruses against structural and NSPs have become resistant to previous vaccines. Therefore, the review of recent studies and the performance of current vaccines and their effects on COVID-19 and related diseases has become a vital need to deal with the current conditions. This review examines the potential role of these SARS-CoV-2 proteins in the initiation of chronic diseases, and it is anticipated that these proteins could serve as components of an effective vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 and related diseases. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sareh Kakavandi
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Iman Zare
- Research and Development Department, Sina Medical Biochemistry Technologies Co. Ltd., Shiraz, 7178795844, Iran
| | - Maryam VaezJalali
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Dadashi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Maryam Azarian
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Abdullatif Akbari
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Ramezani Farani
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Nano Bio High-Tech Materials Research Center, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Hamidreza Zalpoor
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Bahareh Hajikhani
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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11
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Arduini A, Laprise F, Liang C. SARS-CoV-2 ORF8: A Rapidly Evolving Immune and Viral Modulator in COVID-19. Viruses 2023; 15:871. [PMID: 37112851 PMCID: PMC10141009 DOI: 10.3390/v15040871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in upwards of 6.8 million deaths over the past three years, and the frequent emergence of variants continues to strain global health. Although vaccines have greatly helped mitigate disease severity, SARS-CoV-2 is likely to remain endemic, making it critical to understand its viral mechanisms contributing to pathogenesis and discover new antiviral therapeutics. To efficiently infect, this virus uses a diverse set of strategies to evade host immunity, accounting for its high pathogenicity and rapid spread throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Behind some of these critical host evasion strategies is the accessory protein Open Reading Frame 8 (ORF8), which has gained recognition in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis due to its hypervariability, secretory property, and unique structure. This review discusses the current knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 and proposes actualized functional models describing its pivotal roles in both viral replication and immune evasion. A better understanding of ORF8's interactions with host and viral factors is expected to reveal essential pathogenic strategies utilized by SARS-CoV-2 and inspire the development of novel therapeutics to improve COVID-19 disease outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariana Arduini
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada; (A.A.); (F.L.)
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada
| | - Frederique Laprise
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada; (A.A.); (F.L.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Chen Liang
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada; (A.A.); (F.L.)
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
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12
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Veith T, Bleicker T, Eschbach-Bludau M, Brünink S, Mühlemann B, Schneider J, Beheim-Schwarzbach J, Rakotondranary SJ, Ratovonamana YR, Tsagnangara C, Ernest R, Randriantafika F, Sommer S, Stetter N, Jones TC, Drosten C, Ganzhorn JU, Corman VM. Non-structural genes of novel lemur adenoviruses reveal codivergence of virus and host. Virus Evol 2023; 9:vead024. [PMID: 37091898 PMCID: PMC10121206 DOI: 10.1093/ve/vead024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenoviruses (AdVs) are important human and animal pathogens and are frequently used as vectors for gene therapy and vaccine delivery. Surprisingly, there are only scant data regarding primate AdV origin and evolution, especially in the most basal primate hosts. We detect and sequence AdVs from faeces of two Madagascan lemur species. Complete genome sequence analyses define a new AdV species with a particularly large gene encoding a protein of unknown function in the early gene region 3. Unexpectedly, the new AdV species is not most similar to human or other simian AdVs but to bat adenovirus C. Genome characterisation shows signals of virus-host codivergence in non-structural genes, which show lower diversity than structural genes. Outside a lemur species mixing zone, recombination less frequently separates structural genes, as in human adenovirus C. The evolutionary history of lemur AdVs likely involves both a host switch and codivergence with the lemur hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talitha Veith
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Tobias Bleicker
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Monika Eschbach-Bludau
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Sebastian Brünink
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Barbara Mühlemann
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Julia Schneider
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Jörn Beheim-Schwarzbach
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - S Jacques Rakotondranary
- Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, Hamburg 20146, Germany
- Département Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’ Antananarivo, P.O. Box 906, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Yedidya R Ratovonamana
- Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, Hamburg 20146, Germany
- Département Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’ Antananarivo, P.O. Box 906, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Cedric Tsagnangara
- Tropical Biodiversity and Social Enterprise SARL, Immeuble CNAPS, premier étage, Fort Dauphin 614, Madagascar
| | - Refaly Ernest
- Tropical Biodiversity and Social Enterprise SARL, Immeuble CNAPS, premier étage, Fort Dauphin 614, Madagascar
| | | | - Simone Sommer
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, Ulm 89069, Germany
| | - Nadine Stetter
- Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, Hamburg 20146, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Straße 74, Hamburg 20359, Germany
| | - Terry C Jones
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
- Centre for Pathogen Evolution, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Jörg U Ganzhorn
- Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, Hamburg 20146, Germany
| | - Victor M Corman
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
- Labor Berlin, Charité—Vivantes GmbH, Sylter Straße 2, Berlin 13353, Germany
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13
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Deletions across the SARS-CoV-2 Genome: Molecular Mechanisms and Putative Functional Consequences of Deletions in Accessory Genes. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11010229. [PMID: 36677521 PMCID: PMC9862619 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The analysis of deletions may reveal evolutionary trends and provide new insight into the surprising variability and rapidly spreading capability that SARS-CoV-2 has shown since its emergence. To understand the factors governing genomic stability, it is important to define the molecular mechanisms of deletions in the viral genome. In this work, we performed a statistical analysis of deletions. Specifically, we analyzed correlations between deletions in the SARS-CoV-2 genome and repetitive elements and documented a significant association of deletions with runs of identical (poly-) nucleotides and direct repeats. Our analyses of deletions in the accessory genes of SARS-CoV-2 suggested that there may be a hypervariability in ORF7A and ORF8 that is not associated with repetitive elements. Such recurrent search in a "sequence space" of accessory genes (that might be driven by natural selection) did not yet cause increased viability of the SARS-CoV-2 variants. However, deletions in the accessory genes may ultimately produce new variants that are more successful compared to the viral strains with the conventional architecture of the SARS-CoV-2 accessory genes.
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14
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Cruz CAK, Medina PMB. Temporal changes in the accessory protein mutations of SARS-CoV-2 variants and their predicted structural and functional effects. J Med Virol 2022; 94:5189-5200. [PMID: 35764775 PMCID: PMC9349927 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Emerging variants enable the continuous spread of SARS-CoV-2 in humans. The factors contributing to behavioral differences in variants remain elusive despite associations with several Spike protein mutations. Exploring accessory proteins may provide a wider understanding of these differences since these proteins may affect viral processes that occur beyond infection. Various bioinformatics tools were utilized to identify significant accessory protein mutations and determine their structural and functional effects over time. The ViruClust web application was used to retrieve accessory protein amino acid sequences and determine mutation frequencies in these sequences across time. The structural and functional effects of the mutations were determined using Missense3D and PROVEAN, respectively. The accessory and Spike protein mutations were compared using mutation densities. Q57H and T151I of ORF3a; T21I and W27L of ORF6; G38V, V82A, and T120I of ORF7a; S31P and T40I of ORF7b; and R52I, C61F, and I121L of ORF8 were highly frequent in most variants of concern and were within known functional domains. Thus, these are good candidates for further experimental evaluation. Among the accessory proteins, ORF6 and ORF8 were highlighted because of their strong and weak correlation with Spike protein mutations, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Alfredo K. Cruz
- Biological Models Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of MedicineUniversity of the Philippines ManilaManila, Metro ManilaPhilippines
| | - Paul Mark B. Medina
- Biological Models Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of MedicineUniversity of the Philippines ManilaManila, Metro ManilaPhilippines
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15
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Kombe Kombe AJ, Biteghe FAN, Ndoutoume ZN, Jin T. CD8 + T-cell immune escape by SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Front Immunol 2022; 13:962079. [PMID: 36389664 PMCID: PMC9647062 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.962079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the efficacy of antiviral drug repositioning, convalescent plasma (CP), and the currently available vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the worldwide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is still challenging because of the ongoing emergence of certain new SARS-CoV-2 strains known as variants of concern (VOCs). Mutations occurring within the viral genome, characterized by these new emerging VOCs, confer on them the ability to efficiently resist and escape natural and vaccine-induced humoral and cellular immune responses. Consequently, these VOCs have enhanced infectivity, increasing their stable spread in a given population with an important fatality rate. While the humoral immune escape process is well documented, the evasion mechanisms of VOCs from cellular immunity are not well elaborated. In this review, we discussed how SARS-CoV-2 VOCs adapt inside host cells and escape anti-COVID-19 cellular immunity, focusing on the effect of specific SARS-CoV-2 mutations in hampering the activation of CD8+ T-cell immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud John Kombe Kombe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | | | - Zélia Nelly Ndoutoume
- The Second Clinical School, Medical Imaging, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tengchuan Jin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Chinese Academic of Sciences Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Chinese Academic of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China
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16
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Amahong K, Zhang W, Zhou Y, Zhang S, Yin J, Li F, Xu H, Yan T, Yue Z, Liu Y, Hou T, Qiu Y, Tao L, Han L, Zhu F. CovInter: interaction data between coronavirus RNAs and host proteins. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 51:D546-D556. [PMID: 36200814 PMCID: PMC9825556 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus has brought about three massive outbreaks in the past two decades. Each step of its life cycle invariably depends on the interactions among virus and host molecules. The interaction between virus RNA and host protein (IVRHP) is unique compared to other virus-host molecular interactions and represents not only an attempt by viruses to promote their translation/replication, but also the host's endeavor to combat viral pathogenicity. In other words, there is an urgent need to develop a database for providing such IVRHP data. In this study, a new database was therefore constructed to describe the interactions between coronavirus RNAs and host proteins (CovInter). This database is unique in (a) unambiguously characterizing the interactions between virus RNA and host protein, (b) comprehensively providing experimentally validated biological function for hundreds of host proteins key in viral infection and (c) systematically quantifying the differential expression patterns (before and after infection) of these key proteins. Given the devastating and persistent threat of coronaviruses, CovInter is highly expected to fill the gap in the whole process of the 'molecular arms race' between viruses and their hosts, which will then aid in the discovery of new antiviral therapies. It's now free and publicly accessible at: https://idrblab.org/covinter/.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Song Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jiayi Yin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China,Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou 330110, China
| | - Fengcheng Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China,Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou 330110, China
| | - Hongquan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-cancer Chinese Medicines, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Tianci Yan
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-cancer Chinese Medicines, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Zixuan Yue
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-cancer Chinese Medicines, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yuhong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-cancer Chinese Medicines, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Tingjun Hou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yunqing Qiu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Drug Clinical Research and Evaluation, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Lin Tao
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Lin Tao.
| | - Lianyi Han
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Lianyi Han.
| | - Feng Zhu
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +86 189 8946 6518; Fax: +86 571 8820 8444;
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17
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The Rise and Fall of SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Ongoing Diversification of Omicron. Viruses 2022; 14:v14092009. [PMID: 36146815 PMCID: PMC9505243 DOI: 10.3390/v14092009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In late December of 2019, high-throughput sequencing technologies enabled rapid identification of SARS-CoV-2 as the etiological agent of COVID-19, and global sequencing efforts are now a critical tool for monitoring the ongoing spread and evolution of this virus. Here, we provide a short retrospective analysis of SARS-CoV-2 variants by analyzing a subset (n = 97,437) of all publicly available SARS-CoV-2 genomes (n = ~11.9 million) that were randomly selected but equally distributed over the course of the pandemic. We plot the appearance of new variants of concern (VOCs) over time and show that the mutation rates in Omicron (BA.1) and Omicron sub-lineages (BA.2–BA.5) are significantly elevated compared to previously identified SARS-CoV-2 variants. Mutations in Omicron are primarily restricted to the spike and nucleocapsid proteins, while 24 other viral proteins—including those involved in SARS-CoV-2 replication—are generally conserved. Collectively, this suggests that the genetic distinction of Omicron primarily arose from selective pressures on the spike, and that the fidelity of replication of this variant has not been altered.
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18
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Apprehending the NAD+–ADPr-Dependent Systems in the Virus World. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091977. [PMID: 36146784 PMCID: PMC9503650 DOI: 10.3390/v14091977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
NAD+ and ADP-ribose (ADPr)-containing molecules are at the interface of virus–host conflicts across life encompassing RNA processing, restriction, lysogeny/dormancy and functional hijacking. We objectively defined the central components of the NAD+–ADPr networks involved in these conflicts and systematically surveyed 21,191 completely sequenced viral proteomes representative of all publicly available branches of the viral world to reconstruct a comprehensive picture of the viral NAD+–ADPr systems. These systems have been widely and repeatedly exploited by positive-strand RNA and DNA viruses, especially those with larger genomes and more intricate life-history strategies. We present evidence that ADP-ribosyltransferases (ARTs), ADPr-targeting Macro, NADAR and Nudix proteins are frequently packaged into virions, particularly in phages with contractile tails (Myoviruses), and deployed during infection to modify host macromolecules and counter NAD+-derived signals involved in viral restriction. Genes encoding NAD+–ADPr-utilizing domains were repeatedly exchanged between distantly related viruses, hosts and endo-parasites/symbionts, suggesting selection for them across the virus world. Contextual analysis indicates that the bacteriophage versions of ADPr-targeting domains are more likely to counter soluble ADPr derivatives, while the eukaryotic RNA viral versions might prefer macromolecular ADPr adducts. Finally, we also use comparative genomics to predict host systems involved in countering viral ADP ribosylation of host molecules.
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19
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Wang M, Zhao Y, Liu J, Li T. SARS-CoV-2 modulation of RIG-I-MAVS signaling: Potential mechanisms of impairment on host antiviral immunity and therapeutic approaches. MEDCOMM - FUTURE MEDICINE 2022; 1:e29. [PMID: 37521851 PMCID: PMC9878249 DOI: 10.1002/mef2.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global infectious disease aroused by RNA virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Patients may suffer from severe respiratory failure or even die, posing a huge challenge to global public health. Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) is one of the major pattern recognition receptors, function to recognize RNA viruses and mediate the innate immune response. RIG-1 and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 contain an N-terminal caspase recruitment domain that is activated upon detection of viral RNA in the cytoplasm of virus-infected cells. Activated RIG-I and mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS) protein trigger a series of corresponding immune responses such as the production of type I interferon against viral infection. In this review, we are summarizing the role of the structural, nonstructural, and accessory proteins from SARS-CoV-2 on the RIG-I-MAVS pathway, and exploring the potential mechanism how SARS-CoV-2 could evade the host antiviral response. We then proposed that modulation of the RIG-I-MAVS signaling pathway might be a novel and effective therapeutic strategy to against COVID-19 as well as the constantly mutating coronavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and HealthMacau University of Science and TechnologyMacauChina
| | - Yue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and HealthMacau University of Science and TechnologyMacauChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Clinical Laboratory MedicineGuangdong Medical UniversityDongguanChina
| | - Juan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and HealthMacau University of Science and TechnologyMacauChina
| | - Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and HealthMacau University of Science and TechnologyMacauChina
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20
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Assessing the Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Lineages and Mutations on Patient Survival. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091893. [PMID: 36146700 PMCID: PMC9500738 DOI: 10.3390/v14091893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: More than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 still remains a global public health problem. Successive waves of infection have produced new SARS-CoV-2 variants with new mutations for which the impact on COVID-19 severity and patient survival is uncertain. Methods: A total of 764 SARS-CoV-2 genomes, sequenced from COVID-19 patients, hospitalized from 19th February 2020 to 30 April 2021, along with their clinical data, were used for survival analysis. Results: A significant association of B.1.1.7, the alpha lineage, with patient mortality (log hazard ratio (LHR) = 0.51, C.I. = [0.14,0.88]) was found upon adjustment by all the covariates known to affect COVID-19 prognosis. Moreover, survival analysis of mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome revealed 27 of them were significantly associated with higher mortality of patients. Most of these mutations were located in the genes coding for the S, ORF8, and N proteins. Conclusions: This study illustrates how a combination of genomic and clinical data can provide solid evidence for the impact of viral lineage on patient survival.
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21
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Comparison of Two RNA Extraction Methods for the Molecular Detection of SARS-CoV-2 from Nasopharyngeal Swab Samples. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12071561. [PMID: 35885467 PMCID: PMC9317615 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12071561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 is essential in order to restrict the spread of the pandemic, and different approaches for SARS-CoV-2 testing have been proposed as cost-effective and less time-consuming alternatives. For virus detection, the real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique is still the “gold standard” for accuracy and reliability, but its performance is affected by the efficiency of nucleic acid extraction methods. Objective: In order to improve the SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic workflow, we compared a “standard” commercially available kit, based on viral RNA extraction from human swab samples by magnetic beads, with its technological evolution. The two methods differ mainly in their time consumption (9 vs. 35 min). Methods: We adopted the MAGABIO PLUS VIRUS DNA/RNA PURIFICATION KIT II (BIOER), defined as “standard”, with the automatic extractor BIOER (GenePure Pro fully automatic nucleic acid purification system) to isolate RNA from nasopharyngeal swabs for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. We tested this kit with a new faster version of the first one, defined as “rapid” (MAGABIO PLUS VIRUS RNA PURIFICATION KIT II). Results and Conclusion: The two evaluated procedures provided similar analytical results, but the faster method proved to be a more suitable tool for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 from nasopharyngeal swabs, due to a more rapid availability of results, which may contribute to improving both clinical decision making and patient safety.
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22
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Gubarev YA, Lebedeva NS, Yurina ES, Mamardashvili GM, Zaitceva SV, Zdanovich SA, Koifman OI. Prospects for the use of macrocyclic photosensitizers for inactivation of SARS-CoV-2: selection of compounds leaders based on the molecular docking data. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022:1-10. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2079562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yury A. Gubarev
- G. A. Krestov Institute of Solution Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ivanovo, Russia
| | - Natalia Sh. Lebedeva
- G. A. Krestov Institute of Solution Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ivanovo, Russia
| | - Elena S. Yurina
- G. A. Krestov Institute of Solution Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ivanovo, Russia
| | | | - Svetlana V. Zaitceva
- G. A. Krestov Institute of Solution Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ivanovo, Russia
| | - Sergey A. Zdanovich
- G. A. Krestov Institute of Solution Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ivanovo, Russia
| | - Oskar I. Koifman
- G. A. Krestov Institute of Solution Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ivanovo, Russia
- Ivanovo State University of Chemistry and Technology, Ivanovo, Russia
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23
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Brinkac L, Diepold S, Mitchell S, Sarnese S, Kolakowski LF, Nelson WM, Jennings K. SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant isolates from vaccinated individuals. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:417. [PMID: 35658876 PMCID: PMC9166184 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08652-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant was first identified in the U.S. in March 2021 and has rapidly become the predominant lineage across the U.S. due to increased transmissibility, immune evasion and vaccine breakthrough. The aim of this study was to better understand the genetic diversity and the potential impact of mutations observed in SARS-CoV-2 viruses circulating in the U.S. in vaccinated individuals. Results Whole genome sequencing was performed on thirty-four SARS-CoV-2 positive samples using the Oxford Nanopore MinION. Evolutionary genomic analysis revealed two novel mutations, ORF1b:V2354F and a premature stop codon, ORF7a:Q94*, identified in a cluster of SARS-CoV-2 Delta isolates collected from vaccinated individuals in Colorado. The ORF1b:V2354F mutation, corresponding to NSP15:V303F, may induce a conformational change and result in a disruption to a flanking beta-sheet structure. The premature stop codon, ORF7a:Q94*, truncates the transmembrane protein and cytosolic tail used to mediate protein transport. This may affect protein localization to the ER-Golgi. In addition to these novel mutations, the cluster of vaccinated isolates contain an additional mutation in the spike protein, at position 112, compared to the Delta variant defining mutations. This mutation, S112L, exists in isolates previously obtained in the U.S. The S112L mutation substitutes a bulky hydrophobic side chain for a polar side chain, which results in a non-conservative substitution within the protein that may affect antibody-binding affinity. Additionally, the vaccinated cluster of isolates contains non-synonymous mutations within ORF8 and NSPs which further distinguish this cluster from the respective ancestral Delta variant. Conclusions These results show there is an emerging sub-lineage of the ancestral Delta variant circulating in the U.S. As mutations emerge in constellations, those with a potentially beneficial advantage to the virus may continue to circulate while others will cease. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08652-z.
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Goud VR, Chakraborty R, Chakraborty A, Lavudi K, Patnaik S, Sharma S, Patnaik S. A bioinformatic approach of targeting SARS-CoV-2 replication by silencing a conserved alternative reserve of the orf8 gene using host miRNAs. Comput Biol Med 2022; 145:105436. [PMID: 35366472 PMCID: PMC8942883 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.105436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has yielded multiple relevant mutations, many of which have branched into major variants. The Omicron variant has a huge similarity with the original viral strain (first COVID-19 strain from Wuhan). Among different genes, the highly variable orf8 gene is responsible for crucial host interactions and has undergone multiple mutations and indels. The sequence of the orf8 gene of the Omicron variant is, however, identical with the gene sequence of the wild type. orf8 modulates the host immunity making it easier for the virus to conceal itself and remain undetected. Variants seem to be deleting this gene without affecting the viral replication. While analyzing, we came across the conserved orf7a gene in the viral genome which exhibits a partial sequence homology as well as functional similarity with the SARS-CoV-2 orf8. Hence, we have proposed here in our hypothesis that, orf7a might be an alternative reserve of orf8 present in the virus which was compensating for the lost gene. A computational approach was adopted where we screened various miRNAs targeted against the orf8 gene. These miRNAs were then docked onto the orf8 mRNA sequences. The same set of miRNAs was then used to check for their binding affinity with the orf7a reference mRNA. Results showed that miRNAs targeting the orf8 had favorable shape complementarity and successfully docked with the orf7a gene as well. These findings provide a basis for developing new therapeutic approaches where both orf8 and orf7a can be targeted simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kousalya Lavudi
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Sriram Patnaik
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Swati Sharma
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India,Dept. of Skill Buildings Shri Ramasamy Memorial University, Sikkim, Gangtok, 737102, India
| | - Srinivas Patnaik
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India,Corresponding author. School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
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25
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Chou JM, Tsai JL, Hung JN, Chen IH, Chen ST, Tsai MH. The ORF8 Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Modulates the Spike Protein and Its Implications in Viral Transmission. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:883597. [PMID: 35663899 PMCID: PMC9161165 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.883597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is currently global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Accompanying the rapid spread of the error-prone RNA-based genome, several dominant SARS-CoV-2 variants have been genetically identified. The mutations in the spike protein, which are essential for receptor binding and fusion, have been intensively investigated for their contributions to viral transmission. Nevertheless, the importance of other viral proteins and their mutations in SARS-CoV-2 lifecycle and transmission remains fairly understood. Here, we report the strong potency of an accessory protein ORF8 in modulating the level and processing of the spike protein. The expression of ORF8 protein does not affect propagation but expression of spike protein, which may lead to pseudovirions with less spike protein on the surface, therefore less infection potential. At the protein level, ORF8 expression led to downregulation and insufficient S1/S2 cleavage of the spike protein in a dose-dependent manner. ORF8 exhibits a strong interaction with the spike protein mainly at S1 domains and mediates its degradation through multiple pathways. The dominant clinical isolated ORF8 variants with the reduced protein stability exhibited the increased capacity of viral transmission without compromising their inhibitory effects on HLA-A2. Although the increase in spike protein level and Spike pseudovirus production observed by using highly transmissible clinical spike variants, there was no significant compromise in ORF8-mediated downregulation. Because ORF8 is important for immune surveillance and might be required for viral fitness in vivo, the alteration of the spike protein might be an optional strategy used by SARS-CoV-2 to promote viral transmission by escaping the inhibitory effects of ORF8. Therefore, our report emphasized the importance of ORF8 in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein production, maturation, and possible evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Mei Chou
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jo-Ling Tsai
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jo-Ning Hung
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-Hua Chen
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Ting Chen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Research Center for Epidemic Prevention, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Han Tsai
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Research Center for Epidemic Prevention, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Ming-Han Tsai,
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Wu X, Xia T, Shin WJ, Yu KM, Jung W, Herrmann A, Foo SS, Chen W, Zhang P, Lee JS, Poo H, Comhair SAA, Jehi L, Choi YK, Ensser A, Jung JU. Viral Mimicry of Interleukin-17A by SARS-CoV-2 ORF8. mBio 2022; 13:e0040222. [PMID: 35343786 PMCID: PMC9040823 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00402-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection triggers cytokine-mediated inflammation, leading to a myriad of clinical presentations in COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 open reading frame 8 (ORF8) is a secreted and rapidly evolving glycoprotein. Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants with ORF8 deleted are associated with mild disease outcomes, but the molecular mechanism behind this is unknown. Here, we report that SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 is a viral cytokine that is similar to but distinct from interleukin 17A (IL-17A) as it induces stronger and broader human IL-17 receptor (hIL-17R) signaling than IL-17A. ORF8 primarily targeted blood monocytes and induced the heterodimerization of hIL-17RA and hIL-17RC, triggering a robust inflammatory response. Transcriptome analysis revealed that besides its activation of the hIL-17R pathway, ORF8 upregulated gene expression for fibrosis signaling and coagulation dysregulation. A naturally occurring ORF8 L84S variant that was highly associated with mild COVID-19 showed reduced hIL-17RA binding and attenuated inflammatory responses. This study reveals how SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 by a viral mimicry of the IL-17 cytokine contributes to COVID-19 severe inflammation. IMPORTANCE Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants lacking open reading frame 8 (ORF8) have been associated with milder infection and disease outcome, but the molecular mechanism behind how this viral accessory protein mediates disease pathogenesis is not yet known. In our study, we revealed that secreted ORF8 protein mimics host IL-17 to activate IL-17 receptors A and C (IL-17RA/C) and induces a significantly stronger inflammatory response than host IL-17A, providing molecular insights into the role of ORF8 in COVID-19 pathogenesis and serving as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wu
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, and Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Tian Xia
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, and Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Woo-Jin Shin
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, and Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Cleveland Clinic Florida Research & Innovation Center, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - Kwang-Min Yu
- Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Wooram Jung
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, and Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Alexandra Herrmann
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Suan-Sin Foo
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, and Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Weiqiang Chen
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, and Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, and Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Jong-Soo Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Haryoung Poo
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Suzy A. A. Comhair
- Respiratory Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Lara Jehi
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Young Ki Choi
- Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Armin Ensser
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jae U. Jung
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, and Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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27
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Ramm F, Dondapati SK, Trinh HA, Wenzel D, Walter RM, Zemella A, Kubick S. The Potential of Eukaryotic Cell-Free Systems as a Rapid Response to Novel Zoonotic Pathogens: Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Viral Proteins. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:896751. [PMID: 35519622 PMCID: PMC9061942 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.896751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has led to more than 445 million infections and the underlying disease, COVID-19, resulted in more than 6 million deaths worldwide. The scientific world is already predicting future zoonotic diseases. Hence, rapid response systems are needed to tackle future epidemics and pandemics. Here, we present the use of eukaryotic cell-free systems for the rapid response to novel zoonotic diseases represented by SARS-CoV-2. Non-structural, structural and accessory proteins encoded by SARS-CoV-2 were synthesized by cell-free protein synthesis in a fast and efficient manner. The inhibitory effect of the non-structural protein 1 on protein synthesis could be shown in vitro. Structural proteins were quantitatively detected by commercial antibodies, therefore facilitating cell-free systems for the validation of available antibodies. The cytotoxic envelope protein was characterized in electrophysiological planar lipid bilayer measurements. Hence, our study demonstrates the potential of eukaryotic cell-free systems as a rapid response mechanism for the synthesis, functional characterization and antibody validation against a viral pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Ramm
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB), Potsdam, Germany
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Srujan K. Dondapati
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB), Potsdam, Germany
| | - Hoai Anh Trinh
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB), Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dana Wenzel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB), Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ruben M. Walter
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB), Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Zemella
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB), Potsdam, Germany
| | - Stefan Kubick
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB), Potsdam, Germany
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus–Senftenberg, The Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, The University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- *Correspondence: Stefan Kubick,
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28
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Bat coronaviruses related to SARS-CoV-2 and infectious for human cells. Nature 2022; 604:330-336. [PMID: 35172323 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04532-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 100.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The animal reservoir of SARS-CoV-2 is unknown despite reports of various SARS-CoV-2-related viruses in Asian Rhinolophus bats1-4, including the closest virus from R. affinis, RaTG135,6 and in pangolins7-9. SARS-CoV-2 presents a mosaic genome, to which different progenitors contribute. The spike sequence determines the binding affinity and accessibility of its receptor-binding domain (RBD) to the cellular angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and is responsible for host range10-12. SARS-CoV-2 progenitor bat viruses genetically close to SARS-CoV-2 and able to enter human cells through a human ACE2 pathway have not yet been identified, though they would be key in understanding the origin of the epidemics. Here we show that such viruses indeed circulate in cave bats living in the limestone karstic terrain in North Laos, within the Indochinese peninsula. We found that the RBDs of these viruses differ from that of SARS-CoV-2 by only one or two residues at the interface with ACE2, bind more efficiently to the hACE2 protein than the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain isolated in early human cases, and mediate hACE2-dependent entry and replication in human cells, which is inhibited by antibodies neutralizing SARS-CoV-2. None of these bat viruses harbors a furin cleavage site in the spike. Our findings therefore indicate that bat-borne SARS-CoV-2-like viruses potentially infectious for humans circulate in Rhinolophus spp. in the Indochinese peninsula.
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29
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Cheng Y, Peng X. In silico study on the effects of disulfide bonds in ORF8 of SARS-CoV-2. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:16876-16883. [DOI: 10.1039/d2cp01724e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 epidemic, caused by virus SARS-CoV-2, has been a pandemic and threatening everyone's health in the past two years. In SARS-CoV-2, ORF8 is one of the most important accessory...
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30
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Chen X, Zhou Z, Huang C, Zhou Z, Kang S, Huang Z, Jiang G, Hong Z, Chen Q, Yang M, He S, Liu S, Chen J, Li K, Li X, Liao J, Chen J, Chen S. Crystal Structures of Bat and Human Coronavirus ORF8 Protein Ig-Like Domain Provide Insights Into the Diversity of Immune Responses. Front Immunol 2021; 12:807134. [PMID: 34975921 PMCID: PMC8718552 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.807134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
ORF8 is a viral immunoglobulin-like (Ig-like) domain protein encoded by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA genome. It tends to evolve rapidly and interfere with immune responses. However, the structural characteristics of various coronavirus ORF8 proteins and their subsequent effects on biological functions remain unclear. Herein, we determined the crystal structures of SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 (S84) (one of the epidemic isoforms) and the bat coronavirus RaTG13 ORF8 variant at 1.62 Å and 1.76 Å resolution, respectively. Comparison of these ORF8 proteins demonstrates that the 62-77 residues in Ig-like domain of coronavirus ORF8 adopt different conformations. Combined with mutagenesis assays, the residue Cys20 of ORF8 is responsible for forming the covalent disulfide-linked dimer in crystal packing and in vitro biochemical conditions. Furthermore, immune cell-binding assays indicate that various ORF8 (SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 (L84), ORF8 (S84), and RaTG13 ORF8) proteins have different interaction capabilities with human CD14+ monocytes in human peripheral blood. These results provide new insights into the specific characteristics of various coronavirus ORF8 and suggest that ORF8 variants may influence disease-related immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Chen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Zhechong Zhou
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Chunliu Huang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziliang Zhou
- Department of Oral Emergency and General Dentistry, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sisi Kang
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Zhaoxia Huang
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Guanmin Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Zhongsi Hong
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Qiuyue Chen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Suhua He
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Siqi Liu
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Kenan Li
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Xin Li
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jing Liao
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shoudeng Chen, ; Jun Chen, ; Jing Liao,
| | - Jun Chen
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shoudeng Chen, ; Jun Chen, ; Jing Liao,
| | - Shoudeng Chen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
- *Correspondence: Shoudeng Chen, ; Jun Chen, ; Jing Liao,
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31
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Tan Y, Wang C, Schneider T, Li H, de Souza RF, Tang X, Swisher Grimm KD, Hsieh TF, Wang X, Li X, Zhang D. Comparative Phylogenomic Analysis Reveals Evolutionary Genomic Changes and Novel Toxin Families in Endophytic Liberibacter Pathogens. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0050921. [PMID: 34523996 PMCID: PMC8557891 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00509-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Liberibacter pathogens are the causative agents of several severe crop diseases worldwide, including citrus Huanglongbing and potato zebra chip. These bacteria are endophytic and nonculturable, which makes experimental approaches challenging and highlights the need for bioinformatic analysis in advancing our understanding about Liberibacter pathogenesis. Here, we performed an in-depth comparative phylogenomic analysis of the Liberibacter pathogens and their free-living, nonpathogenic, ancestral species, aiming to identify major genomic changes and determinants associated with their evolutionary transitions in living habitats and pathogenicity. Using gene neighborhood analysis and phylogenetic classification, we systematically uncovered, annotated, and classified all prophage loci into four types, including one previously unrecognized group. We showed that these prophages originated through independent gene transfers at different evolutionary stages of Liberibacter and only the SC-type prophage was associated with the emergence of the pathogens. Using ortholog clustering, we vigorously identified two additional sets of genomic genes, which were either lost or gained in the ancestor of the pathogens. Consistent with the habitat change, the lost genes were enriched for biosynthesis of cellular building blocks. Importantly, among the gained genes, we uncovered several previously unrecognized toxins, including new toxins homologous to the EspG/VirA effectors, a YdjM phospholipase toxin, and a secreted endonuclease/exonuclease/phosphatase (EEP) protein. Our results substantially extend the knowledge of the evolutionary events and potential determinants leading to the emergence of endophytic, pathogenic Liberibacter species, which will facilitate the design of functional experiments and the development of new methods for detection and blockage of these pathogens. IMPORTANCELiberibacter pathogens are associated with several severe crop diseases, including citrus Huanglongbing, the most destructive disease to the citrus industry. Currently, no effective cure or treatments are available, and no resistant citrus variety has been found. The fact that these obligate endophytic pathogens are not culturable has made it extremely challenging to experimentally uncover the genes/proteins important to Liberibacter pathogenesis. Further, earlier bioinformatics studies failed to identify key genomic determinants, such as toxins and effector proteins, that underlie the pathogenicity of the bacteria. In this study, an in-depth comparative genomic analysis of Liberibacter pathogens along with their ancestral nonpathogenic species identified the prophage loci and several novel toxins that are evolutionarily associated with the emergence of the pathogens. These results shed new light on the disease mechanism of Liberibacter pathogens and will facilitate the development of new detection and blockage methods targeting the toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjun Tan
- Department of Biology, College of Arts & Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Cindy Wang
- Department of Biology, College of Arts & Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Theresa Schneider
- Department of Biology, College of Arts & Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Huan Li
- Department of Biology, College of Arts & Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Robson Francisco de Souza
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Xueming Tang
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kylie D. Swisher Grimm
- United States Department of Agriculture—Agricultural Research Service, Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research Unit, Prosser, Washington, USA
| | - Tzung-Fu Hsieh
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
- Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, Alabama, USA
| | - Xu Li
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dapeng Zhang
- Department of Biology, College of Arts & Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, College of Arts & Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Kelly C, Gage MJ. Protein Unfolding: Denaturant vs. Force. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9101395. [PMID: 34680512 PMCID: PMC8533514 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
While protein refolding has been studied for over 50 years since the pioneering work of Christian Anfinsen, there have been a limited number of studies correlating results between chemical, thermal, and mechanical unfolding. The limited knowledge of the relationship between these processes makes it challenging to compare results between studies if different refolding methods were applied. Our current work compares the energetic barriers and folding rates derived from chemical, thermal, and mechanical experiments using an immunoglobulin-like domain from the muscle protein titin as a model system. This domain, I83, has high solubility and low stability relative to other Ig domains in titin, though its stability can be modulated by calcium. Our experiments demonstrated that the free energy of refolding was equivalent with all three techniques, but the refolding rates exhibited differences, with mechanical refolding having slightly faster rates. This suggests that results from equilibrium-based measurements can be compared directly but care should be given comparing refolding kinetics derived from refolding experiments that used different unfolding methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen Kelly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA;
| | - Matthew J. Gage
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA;
- UMass Movement Center (UMOVE), University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
- Correspondence:
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33
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Jumper J, Evans R, Pritzel A, Green T, Figurnov M, Ronneberger O, Tunyasuvunakool K, Bates R, Žídek A, Potapenko A, Bridgland A, Meyer C, Kohl SAA, Ballard AJ, Cowie A, Romera-Paredes B, Nikolov S, Jain R, Adler J, Back T, Petersen S, Reiman D, Clancy E, Zielinski M, Steinegger M, Pacholska M, Berghammer T, Silver D, Vinyals O, Senior AW, Kavukcuoglu K, Kohli P, Hassabis D. Applying and improving AlphaFold at CASP14. Proteins 2021; 89:1711-1721. [PMID: 34599769 PMCID: PMC9299164 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
We describe the operation and improvement of AlphaFold, the system that was entered by the team AlphaFold2 to the “human” category in the 14th Critical Assessment of Protein Structure Prediction (CASP14). The AlphaFold system entered in CASP14 is entirely different to the one entered in CASP13. It used a novel end‐to‐end deep neural network trained to produce protein structures from amino acid sequence, multiple sequence alignments, and homologous proteins. In the assessors' ranking by summed z scores (>2.0), AlphaFold scored 244.0 compared to 90.8 by the next best group. The predictions made by AlphaFold had a median domain GDT_TS of 92.4; this is the first time that this level of average accuracy has been achieved during CASP, especially on the more difficult Free Modeling targets, and represents a significant improvement in the state of the art in protein structure prediction. We reported how AlphaFold was run as a human team during CASP14 and improved such that it now achieves an equivalent level of performance without intervention, opening the door to highly accurate large‐scale structure prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Martin Steinegger
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.,Artificial Intelligence Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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Migliorini F, Torsiello E, Spiezia F, Oliva F, Tingart M, Maffulli N. Association between HLA genotypes and COVID-19 susceptibility, severity and progression: a comprehensive review of the literature. Eur J Med Res 2021; 26:84. [PMID: 34344463 PMCID: PMC8329616 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-021-00563-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has markedly impacted on cultural, political, and economic structures all over the world. Several aspects of its pathogenesis and related clinical consequences have not yet been elucidated. Infection rates, as well morbidity and mortality differed within countries. It is intriguing for scientists to understand how patient genetics may influence the outcome of the condition, to clarify which aspects could be related the clinical variability of SARS-CoV-2 disease. We reviewed the studies exploring the role of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) genotypes on individual responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or progression, discussing also the contribution of the immunological patterns MHC-related. In March 2021, the main online databases were accessed. All the articles that investigated the possible association between the HLA genotypes and related polymorphisms with susceptibility, severity and progression of COVID-19 were considered. Although both genetic and environmental factors are certainly expected to influence the susceptibility to or protection of individuals, the HLA and related polymorphisms can influence susceptibility, progression and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The crucial role played by HLA molecules in the immune response, especially through pathogen-derived peptide presentation, and the huge molecular variability of HLA alleles in the human populations could be responsible for the different rates of infection and the different patients following COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Migliorini
- Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, RWTH University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Ernesto Torsiello
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Filippo Spiezia
- Ospedale San Carlo Potenza, Via Potito Petrone, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - Francesco Oliva
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Markus Tingart
- Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, RWTH University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nicola Maffulli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Thornburrow Drive, Stoke on Trent, England
- Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Mile End Hospital, Queen Mary University of London, 275 Bancroft Road, London, E1 4DG, England
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35
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Redondo N, Zaldívar-López S, Garrido JJ, Montoya M. SARS-CoV-2 Accessory Proteins in Viral Pathogenesis: Knowns and Unknowns. Front Immunol 2021; 12:708264. [PMID: 34305949 PMCID: PMC8293742 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.708264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There are still many unanswered questions concerning viral SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis in COVID-19. Accessory proteins in SARS-CoV-2 consist of eleven viral proteins whose roles during infection are still not completely understood. Here, a review on the current knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 accessory proteins is summarized updating new research that could be critical in understanding SARS-CoV-2 interaction with the host. Some accessory proteins such as ORF3b, ORF6, ORF7a and ORF8 have been shown to be important IFN-I antagonists inducing an impairment in the host immune response. In addition, ORF3a is involved in apoptosis whereas others like ORF9b and ORF9c interact with cellular organelles leading to suppression of the antiviral response in infected cells. However, possible roles of ORF7b and ORF10 are still awaiting to be described. Also, ORF3d has been reassigned. Relevant information on the knowns and the unknowns in these proteins is analyzed, which could be crucial for further understanding of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and to design strategies counteracting their actions evading immune responses in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Redondo
- Molecular Biomedicine Department, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Zaldívar-López
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Immunogenomics and Molecular Pathogenesis GA14 Group, Maimónides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Juan J. Garrido
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Immunogenomics and Molecular Pathogenesis GA14 Group, Maimónides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Maria Montoya
- Molecular Biomedicine Department, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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Abstract
Background: Pathogens are often assumed to evolve towards reduced virulence, but counterexamples abound. Faced with a new pathogen, such as SARS-CoV-2, it is crucial to be able to forecast the case fatality rate (CFR) and the overall disease burden. Considerable effort has been invested towards developing a mathematical framework for predicting virulence evolution. Although many approaches accurately recapitulate complex outcomes, most rely on an assumed trade-off between CFR and infection rate. It is often impractical to empirically validate this constraint for human pathogens. Methods: A compartment model with parameters tuning the degree to which symptomatic individuals are isolated and the duration of immunity is constructed and evaluated at both short timescales and at equilibrium. Results: We reveal kinetic constraints whereby variation of multiple parameters in concert leads to decreased CFR and increased pathogen fitness, whereas independent variation of the parameters decreases pathogen fitness. Smallpox, SARS-CoV-2, and influenza are analyzed as diverse representatives of human respiratory viruses. We show that highly virulent viruses, such as smallpox, are often constrained by the host behavior, whereas moderately virulent viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, appear to be typically constrained by the relationship between the duration of immunity and CFR. Conclusions: Evolution of human respiratory epidemics appears to be often kinetically constrained and a reduction in CFR should not be assumed. These results agree with previous work demonstrating an increase in virulence for smallpox and further predict that SARS-CoV-2 is likely to continue presenting a substantial disease burden. Herd immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and viruses with similar life history traits might be unachievable without vaccination. However, partial isolation of symptomatic individuals can have a major effect on the epidemic dynamics not only by reducing the number of fatalities in the short term but also by changing the evolutionary trajectory of moderate CFR viruses towards reduced CFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nash Rochman
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA
| | - Yuri I Wolf
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA
| | - Eugene V Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA
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37
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Abstract
Background: It is often assumed that pathogens evolve towards reduced virulence, but counterexamples abound. Faced with a new pathogen, such as SARS-CoV-2, it is highly desirable to be able to forecast the case fatality rate (CFR) and overall disease burden into the future. Considerable effort has been invested towards the development of a mathematical framework for predicting virulence evolution. Although many approaches accurately recapitulate complex outcomes, most rely on an assumed trade-off between CFR and infection rate. It is often impractical to empirically validate this constraint for human pathogens. Methods: A compartment model with parameters tuning the degree to which symptomatic individuals are isolated and the duration of immunity is constructed and evaluated at both short timescales and at equilibrium (when it exists). Results: We reveal kinetic constraints where the variation of multiple parameters in concert leads to decreased CFR and increased pathogen fitness, whereas independent variation of the parameters decreases pathogen fitness. Smallpox, SARS-CoV-2, and influenza are analyzed as diverse representatives of human respiratory viruses. We show that highly virulent viruses, such as smallpox, are likely often constrained by host behavior, whereas moderately virulent viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, appear to be typically constrained by the relationship between the duration of immunity and CFR. Conclusions: Evolution of human respiratory epidemics appears to be often kinetically constrained and a reduction in CFR should not be assumed. Our findings imply that, without continued public health intervention, SARS-CoV-2 is likely to continue presenting a substantial disease burden. The existence of a parameter regime admitting endemic equilibrium suggests that herd immunity is unachievable. However, we demonstrate that even partial isolation of symptomatic individuals can have a major effect not only by reducing the number of fatalities in the short term but also by potentially changing the evolutionary trajectory of the virus towards reduced CFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nash Rochman
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA
| | - Yuri I Wolf
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA
| | - Eugene V Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA
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38
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Ongaro A, Oselladore E, Memo M, Ribaudo G, Gianoncelli A. Insight into the LFA-1/SARS-CoV-2 Orf7a Complex by Protein-Protein Docking, Molecular Dynamics, and MM-GBSA Calculations. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:2780-2787. [PMID: 34043356 PMCID: PMC8189040 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome, open reading frames (ORFs) encode for viral accessory proteins. Among these, Orf7a structurally resembles the members of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily and intracellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs), in particular. ICAMs are involved in integrin binding through lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1). Based on such considerations and on previous findings on SARS-CoV, it has been postulated that the formation of the LFA-1/Orf7a complex could contribute to SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and pathogenicity. With the current work, we aim at providing insight into this macromolecular assembly, taking advantage of the recently reported SARS-CoV-2 Orf7a structure. Protein-protein docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and a Molecular Mechanical-Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA)-based stage were enrolled to provide refined models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Ongaro
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Erika Oselladore
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ribaudo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gianoncelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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39
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Ohki S, Imamura T, Higashimura Y, Matsumoto K, Mori M. Similarities and differences in the conformational stability and reversibility of ORF8, an accessory protein of SARS-CoV-2, and its L84S variant. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 563:92-97. [PMID: 34062392 PMCID: PMC8149210 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.05.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has the characteristic accessory protein ORF8. Although clinical reports indicate that ORF8 variant strains (Δ382 and L84S variants) are less likely to cause severe illness, functional differences between wild-type and variant ORF8 are unknown. Furthermore, the physicochemical properties of the ORF8 protein have not been analyzed. In this study, the physicochemical properties of the wild-type ORF8 and its L84S variant were analyzed and compared. Using the tobacco BY-2 cell production system, which has been successfully used to produce the wild-type ORF8 protein with a single conformation, was used to successfully produce the ORF8 L84S variant protein at the same level as wild-type ORF8. The produced proteins were purified, and their temperature and pH dependencies were examined using nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. Our data suggested that the wild-type and L84S variant ORF8 structures are highly stable over a wide temperature range. Both proteins displayed an aggregated conformation at higher temperature that reverted when the temperature was decreased to room temperature. Moreover, ORF8 precipitated at acidic pH and this precipitation was reversed when the solution pH was shifted to neutral. Interestingly, the L84S variant exhibited greater solubility than wild-type ORF8 under acidic conditions. Thus, the finding indicated that conformational stability and reversibility of ORF8 are key properties related to function in oppressive environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Ohki
- Center for Nano Materials and Technology (CNMT), Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa, 923-1292, Japan.
| | - Tomohiro Imamura
- Department of Bioproduction Science, Ishikawa Prefectural University, 308-1 Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa, 921-8836, Japan
| | - Yasuki Higashimura
- Department of Food Science, Ishikawa Prefectural University, 308-1 Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa, 921-8836, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsumoto
- Department of Food Science, Ishikawa Prefectural University, 308-1 Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa, 921-8836, Japan
| | - Masashi Mori
- Research Institute for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Ishikawa Prefectural University, 308-1 Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa, 921-8836, Japan.
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40
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Jelinek HF, Mousa M, Alefishat E, Osman W, Spence I, Bu D, Feng SF, Byrd J, Magni PA, Sahibzada S, Tay GK, Alsafar HS. Evolution, Ecology, and Zoonotic Transmission of Betacoronaviruses: A Review. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:644414. [PMID: 34095271 PMCID: PMC8173069 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.644414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus infections have been a part of the animal kingdom for millennia. The difference emerging in the twenty-first century is that a greater number of novel coronaviruses are being discovered primarily due to more advanced technology and that a greater number can be transmitted to humans, either directly or via an intermediate host. This has a range of effects from annual infections that are mild to full-blown pandemics. This review compares the zoonotic potential and relationship between MERS, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. The role of bats as possible host species and possible intermediate hosts including pangolins, civets, mink, birds, and other mammals are discussed with reference to mutations of the viral genome affecting zoonosis. Ecological, social, cultural, and environmental factors that may play a role in zoonotic transmission are considered with reference to SARS-CoV, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2 and possible future zoonotic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herbert F. Jelinek
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Center of Heath Engineering Innovation, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mira Mousa
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproduction Health, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Eman Alefishat
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Wael Osman
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ian Spence
- Discipline of Pharmacology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Dengpan Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Samuel F. Feng
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Mathematics, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jason Byrd
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Paola A. Magni
- Discipline of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
- Murdoch University Singapore, King's Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shafi Sahibzada
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Guan K. Tay
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Habiba S. Alsafar
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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41
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Nemudryi A, Nemudraia A, Wiegand T, Nichols J, Snyder DT, Hedges JF, Cicha C, Lee H, Vanderwood KK, Bimczok D, Jutila MA, Wiedenheft B. SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance identifies naturally occurring truncation of ORF7a that limits immune suppression. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109197. [PMID: 34043946 PMCID: PMC8118641 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 950,000 whole-genome sequences of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been determined for viruses isolated from around the world. These sequences are critical for understanding the spread and evolution of SARS-CoV-2. Using global phylogenomics, we show that mutations frequently occur in the C-terminal end of ORF7a. We isolate one of these mutant viruses from a patient sample and use viral challenge experiments to link this isolate (ORF7aΔ115) to a growth defect. ORF7a is implicated in immune modulation, and we show that the C-terminal truncation negates anti-immune activities of the protein, which results in elevated type I interferon response to the viral infection. Collectively, this work indicates that ORF7a mutations occur frequently, and that these changes affect viral mechanisms responsible for suppressing the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem Nemudryi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Anna Nemudraia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Tanner Wiegand
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Joseph Nichols
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Deann T Snyder
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Jodi F Hedges
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Calvin Cicha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Helen Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | | | - Diane Bimczok
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Mark A Jutila
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Blake Wiedenheft
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
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42
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Altincekic N, Korn SM, Qureshi NS, Dujardin M, Ninot-Pedrosa M, Abele R, Abi Saad MJ, Alfano C, Almeida FCL, Alshamleh I, de Amorim GC, Anderson TK, Anobom CD, Anorma C, Bains JK, Bax A, Blackledge M, Blechar J, Böckmann A, Brigandat L, Bula A, Bütikofer M, Camacho-Zarco AR, Carlomagno T, Caruso IP, Ceylan B, Chaikuad A, Chu F, Cole L, Crosby MG, de Jesus V, Dhamotharan K, Felli IC, Ferner J, Fleischmann Y, Fogeron ML, Fourkiotis NK, Fuks C, Fürtig B, Gallo A, Gande SL, Gerez JA, Ghosh D, Gomes-Neto F, Gorbatyuk O, Guseva S, Hacker C, Häfner S, Hao B, Hargittay B, Henzler-Wildman K, Hoch JC, Hohmann KF, Hutchison MT, Jaudzems K, Jović K, Kaderli J, Kalniņš G, Kaņepe I, Kirchdoerfer RN, Kirkpatrick J, Knapp S, Krishnathas R, Kutz F, zur Lage S, Lambertz R, Lang A, Laurents D, Lecoq L, Linhard V, Löhr F, Malki A, Bessa LM, Martin RW, Matzel T, Maurin D, McNutt SW, Mebus-Antunes NC, Meier BH, Meiser N, Mompeán M, Monaca E, Montserret R, Mariño Perez L, Moser C, Muhle-Goll C, Neves-Martins TC, Ni X, Norton-Baker B, Pierattelli R, Pontoriero L, Pustovalova Y, Ohlenschläger O, Orts J, Da Poian AT, Pyper DJ, Richter C, Riek R, Rienstra CM, Robertson A, Pinheiro AS, Sabbatella R, Salvi N, Saxena K, Schulte L, Schiavina M, Schwalbe H, Silber M, Almeida MDS, Sprague-Piercy MA, Spyroulias GA, Sreeramulu S, Tants JN, Tārs K, Torres F, Töws S, Treviño MÁ, Trucks S, Tsika AC, Varga K, Wang Y, Weber ME, Weigand JE, Wiedemann C, Wirmer-Bartoschek J, Wirtz Martin MA, Zehnder J, Hengesbach M, Schlundt A. Large-Scale Recombinant Production of the SARS-CoV-2 Proteome for High-Throughput and Structural Biology Applications. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:653148. [PMID: 34041264 PMCID: PMC8141814 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.653148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The highly infectious disease COVID-19 caused by the Betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 poses a severe threat to humanity and demands the redirection of scientific efforts and criteria to organized research projects. The international COVID19-NMR consortium seeks to provide such new approaches by gathering scientific expertise worldwide. In particular, making available viral proteins and RNAs will pave the way to understanding the SARS-CoV-2 molecular components in detail. The research in COVID19-NMR and the resources provided through the consortium are fully disclosed to accelerate access and exploitation. NMR investigations of the viral molecular components are designated to provide the essential basis for further work, including macromolecular interaction studies and high-throughput drug screening. Here, we present the extensive catalog of a holistic SARS-CoV-2 protein preparation approach based on the consortium's collective efforts. We provide protocols for the large-scale production of more than 80% of all SARS-CoV-2 proteins or essential parts of them. Several of the proteins were produced in more than one laboratory, demonstrating the high interoperability between NMR groups worldwide. For the majority of proteins, we can produce isotope-labeled samples of HSQC-grade. Together with several NMR chemical shift assignments made publicly available on covid19-nmr.com, we here provide highly valuable resources for the production of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in isotope-labeled form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadide Altincekic
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sophie Marianne Korn
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nusrat Shahin Qureshi
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marie Dujardin
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, UMR 5086, CNRS/Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | - Martí Ninot-Pedrosa
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, UMR 5086, CNRS/Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | - Rupert Abele
- Institute for Biochemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marie Jose Abi Saad
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Caterina Alfano
- Structural Biology and Biophysics Unit, Fondazione Ri.MED, Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabio C. L. Almeida
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CNRMN, CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Islam Alshamleh
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Gisele Cardoso de Amorim
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CNRMN, CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Multidisciplinary Center for Research in Biology (NUMPEX), Campus Duque de Caxias Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Duque de Caxias, Brazil
| | - Thomas K. Anderson
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Cristiane D. Anobom
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CNRMN, CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Chelsea Anorma
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Jasleen Kaur Bains
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Adriaan Bax
- LCP, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - Julius Blechar
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anja Böckmann
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, UMR 5086, CNRS/Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | - Louis Brigandat
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, UMR 5086, CNRS/Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | - Anna Bula
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
| | - Matthias Bütikofer
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Teresa Carlomagno
- BMWZ and Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Group of NMR-Based Structural Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Icaro Putinhon Caruso
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CNRMN, CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Multiuser Center for Biomolecular Innovation (CMIB), Department of Physics, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Betül Ceylan
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Apirat Chaikuad
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Feixia Chu
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United States
| | - Laura Cole
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, UMR 5086, CNRS/Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | - Marquise G. Crosby
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Vanessa de Jesus
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Karthikeyan Dhamotharan
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Isabella C. Felli
- Magnetic Resonance Centre (CERM), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Jan Ferner
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Yanick Fleischmann
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Laure Fogeron
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, UMR 5086, CNRS/Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | | | - Christin Fuks
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Boris Fürtig
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Angelo Gallo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Santosh L. Gande
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Juan Atilio Gerez
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dhiman Ghosh
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francisco Gomes-Neto
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CNRMN, CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Oksana Gorbatyuk
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | | | | | - Sabine Häfner
- Leibniz Institute on Aging—Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Bing Hao
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Bruno Hargittay
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - K. Henzler-Wildman
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Jeffrey C. Hoch
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Katharina F. Hohmann
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marie T. Hutchison
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Katarina Jović
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United States
| | - Janina Kaderli
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gints Kalniņš
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Iveta Kaņepe
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
| | - Robert N. Kirchdoerfer
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - John Kirkpatrick
- BMWZ and Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Group of NMR-Based Structural Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Robin Krishnathas
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Felicitas Kutz
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne zur Lage
- Group of NMR-Based Structural Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Roderick Lambertz
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andras Lang
- Leibniz Institute on Aging—Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Douglas Laurents
- “Rocasolano” Institute for Physical Chemistry (IQFR), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lauriane Lecoq
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, UMR 5086, CNRS/Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | - Verena Linhard
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Frank Löhr
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anas Malki
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Rachel W. Martin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Tobias Matzel
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Damien Maurin
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France
| | - Seth W. McNutt
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United States
| | - Nathane Cunha Mebus-Antunes
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CNRMN, CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Beat H. Meier
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Meiser
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Miguel Mompeán
- “Rocasolano” Institute for Physical Chemistry (IQFR), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Monaca
- Structural Biology and Biophysics Unit, Fondazione Ri.MED, Palermo, Italy
| | - Roland Montserret
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, UMR 5086, CNRS/Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | | | - Celine Moser
- IBG-4, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | | | - Thais Cristtina Neves-Martins
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CNRMN, CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Xiamonin Ni
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Brenna Norton-Baker
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Roberta Pierattelli
- Magnetic Resonance Centre (CERM), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Letizia Pontoriero
- Magnetic Resonance Centre (CERM), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Yulia Pustovalova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | | | - Julien Orts
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea T. Da Poian
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Dennis J. Pyper
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christian Richter
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Roland Riek
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chad M. Rienstra
- Department of Biochemistry and National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | | | - Anderson S. Pinheiro
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CNRMN, CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Nicola Salvi
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France
| | - Krishna Saxena
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Linda Schulte
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marco Schiavina
- Magnetic Resonance Centre (CERM), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mara Silber
- IBG-4, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Marcius da Silva Almeida
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CNRMN, CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marc A. Sprague-Piercy
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States
| | | | - Sridhar Sreeramulu
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jan-Niklas Tants
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Kaspars Tārs
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Felix Torres
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Töws
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Miguel Á. Treviño
- “Rocasolano” Institute for Physical Chemistry (IQFR), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sven Trucks
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Krisztina Varga
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United States
| | - Ying Wang
- BMWZ and Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marco E. Weber
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Julia E. Weigand
- Department of Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Christoph Wiedemann
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Charles Tanford Protein Centre, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Julia Wirmer-Bartoschek
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Maria Alexandra Wirtz Martin
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Johannes Zehnder
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Hengesbach
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andreas Schlundt
- Center of Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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43
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Meinberger D, Koch M, Roth A, Hermes G, Stemler J, Cornely OA, Streichert T, Klatt AR. Analysis of IgM, IgA, and IgG isotype antibodies Directed against SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein and ORF8 in the course of COVID-19. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8920. [PMID: 33903660 PMCID: PMC8076237 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88356-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunoassays are a standard diagnostic tool that assesses immunity in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, immunoassays do not provide information about contaminating antigens or cross-reactions and might exhibit inaccurately high sensitivity and low specificity. We aimed to gain insight into the serological immune response of SARS-CoV-2 patients by immunoblot analysis. We analyzed serum immunoglobulins IgM, -A, and -G directed against SARS-CoV-2 proteins by immunoblot analysis from 12 infected patients. We determined IgG isotype antibodies by commercially available ELISA and assessed the clinical parameters of inflammation status and kidney and liver injury. Unexpectedly, we found no correlation between the presence of antibodies and the future course of the disease. However, attention should be paid to the parameters CRP, IL-6, and LDH. We found evidence of antibody cross-reactivity, which questions the reliability of results for serum samples that tested negative for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies when assessed by immunoassays. Nevertheless, for the detection of IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, our data suggest that the use of the spike glycoprotein in immunoassays should be sufficient to identify positive patients. Using a combination of the spike glycoprotein and the open reading frame 8 protein could prove to be the best way of detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Meinberger
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Manuel Koch
- Institute for Dental Research and Oral Musculoskeletal Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Biochemistry II, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Annika Roth
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gabriele Hermes
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jannik Stemler
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany
- Chair Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster On Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Oliver A Cornely
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany
- Chair Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster On Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Streichert
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Andreas R Klatt
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
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44
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Zhou Z, Huang C, Zhou Z, Huang Z, Su L, Kang S, Chen X, Chen Q, He S, Rong X, Xiao F, Chen J, Chen S. Structural insight reveals SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a as an immunomodulating factor for human CD14 + monocytes. iScience 2021; 24:102187. [PMID: 33615195 PMCID: PMC7879101 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated immune cell responses have been linked to the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the specific viral factors of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were currently unknown. Herein, we reveal that the Immunoglobulin-like fold ectodomain of the viral protein SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a interacts with high efficiency to CD14+ monocytes in human peripheral blood, compared to pathogenic protein SARS-CoV ORF7a. The crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a at 2.2 Å resolution reveals three remarkable changes on the amphipathic side of the four-stranded β-sheet, implying a potential functional interface of the viral protein. Importantly, SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a coincubation with CD14+ monocytes ex vivo triggered a decrease in HLA-DR/DP/DQ expression levels and upregulated significant production of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α. Our work demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a is an immunomodulating factor for immune cell binding and triggers dramatic inflammatory responses, providing promising therapeutic drug targets for pandemic COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziliang Zhou
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Chunliu Huang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhechong Zhou
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Zhaoxia Huang
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Lili Su
- The Health Management Center, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Sisi Kang
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Xiaoxue Chen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Qiuyue Chen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Suhua He
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Xia Rong
- Institute of Clinical Transfusion, Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510095, China
| | - Fei Xiao
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of the Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Center for Precision Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shoudeng Chen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Department of Experimental Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
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45
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Khan MT, Ali S, Khan AS, Muhammad N, Khalil F, Ishfaq M, Irfan M, Al-Sehemi AG, Muhammad S, Malik A, Khan TA, Wei DQ. SARS-CoV-2 Genome from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:6588-6599. [PMID: 33748571 PMCID: PMC7944396 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c05163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Among viral outbreaks, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is one of the deadliest ones, and it has triggered the global COVID-19 pandemic. In Pakistan, until 5th September 2020, a total of 6342 deaths have been reported, of which 1255 were from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province. To understand the disease progression and control and also to produce vaccines and therapeutic efforts, whole genome sequence analysis is important. In the current investigation, we sequenced a single sample of SARS-CoV-2 genomes (accession no. MT879619) from a male suspect from Peshawar, the KPK capital city, during the first wave of infection. The local SARS-CoV-2 strain shows some unique characteristics compared to neighboring Iranian and Chinese isolates in phylogenetic tree and mutations. The circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2 represent an intermediate evolution from China and Iran. Furthermore, eight complete whole genome sequences, including the current Pakistani isolates which have been submitted to Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GSAID), were also investigated for specific mutations and characters. Some novel mutations [NSP2 (D268del), NSP5 (N228K), and NS3 (F105S)] and specific characters have been detected in the coding regions, which may affect viral transmission, epidemiology, and disease severity. The computational modeling revealed that a majority of these mutations may have a stabilizing effect on the viral protein structure. In conclusion, the genome sequencing of local strains is important for better understanding the pathogenicity, immunogenicity, and epidemiology of causative agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tahir Khan
- Institute of Molecular
Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), The University
of Lahore, KM Defence Road, Lahore 58810, Pakistan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism,
Shanghai−Islamabad−Belgrade Joint Innovation Center
on Antibacterial Resistances, Joint International Research Laboratory
of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences and School of Life Sciences
and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, P. R. China
- Peng Cheng Laboratory, Vanke Cloud City Phase I Building 8, Xili Street, Nashan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China
| | - Sajid Ali
- Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Anwar Sheed Khan
- Department of Microbiology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Bannu Road, Near Jarma Bridge, Kohat 26000, Pakistan
| | - Noor Muhammad
- Department of Microbiology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Bannu Road, Near Jarma Bridge, Kohat 26000, Pakistan
| | - Faiza Khalil
- Department of Biochemistry, Khyber Medical
College, Peshawar 25160, Pakistan
- University
of Peshawar, Road No.
2, Rahat Abad, Peshawar 25120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ishfaq
- Centre for Omic Sciences, Islamia
College Peshawar. Grand Trunk Road, Rahat Abad, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Irfan
- Department
of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University
of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Abdullah G. Al-Sehemi
- Research Center for Advanced Materials
Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shabbir Muhammad
- Research Center for Advanced Materials
Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism,
Shanghai−Islamabad−Belgrade Joint Innovation Center
on Antibacterial Resistances, Joint International Research Laboratory
of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences and School of Life Sciences
and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, P. R. China
- Peng Cheng Laboratory, Vanke Cloud City Phase I Building 8, Xili Street, Nashan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China
| | - Arif Malik
- Institute of Molecular
Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), The University
of Lahore, KM Defence Road, Lahore 58810, Pakistan
| | - Taj Ali Khan
- Institute of Pathology and Diagnostic Medicine, Khyber Medical University, Phase V, Hayatabad, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 25000, Pakistan
| | - Dong Qing Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism,
Shanghai−Islamabad−Belgrade Joint Innovation Center
on Antibacterial Resistances, Joint International Research Laboratory
of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences and School of Life Sciences
and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, P. R. China
- Peng Cheng Laboratory, Vanke Cloud City Phase I Building 8, Xili Street, Nashan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China
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46
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Tse H, Lung DC, Wong SCY, Ip KF, Wu TC, To KKW, Kok KH, Yuen KY, Choi GKY. Emergence of a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 virus variant with novel genomic architecture in Hong Kong. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 73:1696-1699. [PMID: 33675655 PMCID: PMC7989571 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, divergent SARS-CoV-2 lineages have emerged continuously, mostly through the genomic accumulation of substitutions. We report the discovery of a SARS-CoV-2 variant with a novel genomic architecture characterized by absent ORF7a, ORF7b and ORF8, and a C-terminally modified ORF6 product resulting from partial 5’-UTR duplication and transposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman Tse
- Department of Pathology, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - David Christopher Lung
- Department of Pathology, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Sally Cheuk-Ying Wong
- Department of Pathology, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Ka-Fai Ip
- Department of Pathology, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Tak-Chiu Wu
- Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kelvin Kai-Wang To
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kin-Hang Kok
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Garnet Kwan-Yue Choi
- Department of Pathology, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
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47
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Tan Y, Schneider T, Shukla PK, Chandrasekharan MB, Aravind L, Zhang D. Unification and extensive diversification of M/Orf3-related ion channel proteins in coronaviruses and other nidoviruses. Virus Evol 2021; 7:veab014. [PMID: 33692906 PMCID: PMC7928690 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veab014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2, responsible for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has emphasized the need for a better understanding of the evolution of virus-host interactions. ORF3a in both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 are ion channels (viroporins) implicated in virion assembly and membrane budding. Using sensitive profile-based homology detection methods, we unify the SARS-CoV ORF3a family with several families of viral proteins, including ORF5 from MERS-CoVs, proteins from beta-CoVs (ORF3c), alpha-CoVs (ORF3b), most importantly, the Matrix (M) proteins from CoVs, and more distant homologs from other nidoviruses. We present computational evidence that these viral families might utilize specific conserved polar residues to constitute an aqueous pore within the membrane-spanning region. We reconstruct an evolutionary history of these families and objectively establish the common origin of the M proteins of CoVs and Toroviruses. We also show that the divergent ORF3 clade (ORF3a/ORF3b/ORF3c/ORF5 families) represents a duplication stemming from the M protein in alpha- and beta-CoVs. By phyletic profiling of major structural components of primary nidoviruses, we present a hypothesis for their role in virion assembly of CoVs, ToroVs, and Arteriviruses. The unification of diverse M/ORF3 ion channel families in a wide range of nidoviruses, especially the typical M protein in CoVs, reveal a conserved, previously under-appreciated role of ion channels in virion assembly and membrane budding. We show that M and ORF3 are under different evolutionary pressures; in contrast to the slow evolution of M as core structural component, the ORF3 clade is under selection for diversification, which suggests it might act at the interface with host molecules and/or immune attack.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjun Tan
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
| | - Theresa Schneider
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
| | - Prakash K Shukla
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Mahesh B Chandrasekharan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - L Aravind
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Dapeng Zhang
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
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48
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Oreste U, Ametrano A, Coscia MR. On Origin and Evolution of the Antibody Molecule. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10020140. [PMID: 33578914 PMCID: PMC7916673 DOI: 10.3390/biology10020140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Like many other molecules playing vital functions in animals, the antibody molecule possesses a complex structure with distinctive features. The structure of the basic unit, i.e., the immunoglobulin domain of very ancient origin is substantially simple. However, high complexity resides in the types and numbers of the domains composing the whole molecule. The emergence of the antibody molecule during evolution overturned the effectiveness of the organisms’ defense system. The particular organization of the coding genes, the mechanisms generating antibody diversity, and the plasticity of the overall protein structure, attest to an extraordinary successful evolutionary history. Here, we attempt to trace, across the evolutionary scale, the very early origins of the most significant features characterizing the structure of the antibody molecule and of the molecular mechanisms underlying its major role in recognizing an almost unlimited number of pathogens. Abstract The vertebrate immune system provides a powerful defense because of the ability to potentially recognize an unlimited number of pathogens. The antibody molecule, also termed immunoglobulin (Ig) is one of the major mediators of the immune response. It is built up from two types of Ig domains: the variable domain, which provides the capability to recognize and bind a potentially infinite range of foreign substances, and the constant domains, which exert the effector functions. In the last 20 years, advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and structural features of antibody in mammals and in a variety of other organisms have uncovered the underlying principles and complexity of this fundamental molecule. One notable evolutionary topic is the origin and evolution of antibody. Many aspects have been clearly stated, but some others remain limited or obscure. By considering a wide range of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms through a literature survey about the topic, we have provided an integrated view of the emergence of antibodies in evolution and underlined the very ancient origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Oreste
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council of Italy, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (U.O.); (A.A.)
| | - Alessia Ametrano
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council of Italy, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (U.O.); (A.A.)
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Coscia
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council of Italy, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (U.O.); (A.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-6132556
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49
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Lost in deletion: The enigmatic ORF8 protein of SARS-CoV-2. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 538:116-124. [PMID: 33685621 PMCID: PMC7577707 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.10.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome contains nine open reading frames (ORFs) that encode for accessory proteins which, although dispensable for viral replication, are important for the modulation of the host infected cell metabolism and innate immunity evasion. Among those, the ORF8 gene encodes for the homonymous multifunctional, highly immunogenic, immunoglobulin-like protein that was recently found to inhibit presentation of viral antigens by class I major histocompatibility complex, suppress the type I interferon antiviral response and interact with host factors involved in pulmonary inflammation and fibrogenesis. Moreover, the ORF8 is a hypervariable gene rapidly evolving among SARS-related coronaviruses, with a tendency to recombine and undergo deletions that are deemed to facilitate the virus adaptation to the human host. Intriguingly, SARS-CoV-2 variants isolated in the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic that were deleted of the ORF8 gene have been associated to milder symptoms and better disease outcome. This minireview summarizes the current knowledge on the SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 protein in perspective to its potential as antiviral target and with special emphasis on the biochemical, biophysical and structural aspects of its molecular biology.
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50
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Neches RY, Kyrpides NC, Ouzounis CA. Atypical Divergence of SARS-CoV-2 Orf8 from Orf7a within the Coronavirus Lineage Suggests Potential Stealthy Viral Strategies in Immune Evasion. mBio 2021; 12:e03014-20. [PMID: 33468697 PMCID: PMC7845636 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03014-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Orf8, one of the most puzzling genes in the SARS lineage of coronaviruses, marks a unique and striking difference in genome organization between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1. Here, using sequence comparisons, we unequivocally reveal the distant sequence similarities between SARS-CoV-2 Orf8 with its SARS-CoV-1 counterparts and the X4-like genes of coronaviruses, including its highly divergent "paralog" gene Orf7a, whose product is a potential immune antagonist of known structure. Supervised sequence space walks unravel identity levels that drop below 10% and yet exhibit subtle conservation patterns in this novel superfamily, characterized by an immunoglobulin-like beta sandwich topology. We document the high accuracy of the sequence space walk process in detail and characterize the subgroups of the superfamily in sequence space by systematic annotation of gene and taxon groups. While SARS-CoV-1 Orf7a and Orf8 genes are most similar to bat virus sequences, their SARS-CoV-2 counterparts are closer to pangolin virus homologs, reflecting the fine structure of conservation patterns within the SARS-CoV-2 genomes. The divergence between Orf7a and Orf8 is exceptionally idiosyncratic, since Orf7a is more constrained, whereas Orf8 is subject to rampant change, a peculiar feature that may be related to hitherto-unknown viral infection strategies. Despite their common origin, the Orf7a and Orf8 protein families exhibit different modes of evolutionary trajectories within the coronavirus lineage, which might be partly attributable to their complex interactions with the mammalian host cell, reflected by a multitude of functional associations of Orf8 in SARS-CoV-2 compared to a very small number of interactions discovered for Orf7a.IMPORTANCE Orf8 is one of the most puzzling genes in the SARS lineage of coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Using sophisticated sequence comparisons, we confirm its origins from Orf7a, another gene in the lineage that appears as more conserved, compared to Orf8. Orf7a is a potential immune antagonist of known structure, while a deletion of Orf8 was shown to decrease the severity of the infection in a cohort study. The subtle sequence similarities imply that Orf8 has the same immunoglobulin-like fold as Orf7a, confirmed by structure determination. We characterize the subgroups of this superfamily and demonstrate the highly idiosyncratic divergence patterns during the evolution of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell Y Neches
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley California, USA
| | - Nikos C Kyrpides
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley California, USA
| | - Christos A Ouzounis
- Biological Computation and Process Laboratory, Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessalonica, Greece
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