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Rhamadianti AF, Abe T, Tanaka T, Ono C, Katayama H, Makino Y, Deng L, Matsui C, Moriishi K, Shima F, Matsuura Y, Shoji I. SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease inhibits ISGylation of the viral nucleocapsid protein to evade host anti-viral immunity. J Virol 2024:e0085524. [PMID: 39120134 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00855-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
A severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes mild-to-severe respiratory symptoms, including acute respiratory distress. Despite remarkable efforts to investigate the virological and pathological impacts of SARS-CoV-2, many of the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection still remain unknown. The interferon-inducible ubiquitin-like protein ISG15 is covalently conjugated to several viral proteins to suppress their functions. It was reported that SARS-CoV-2 utilizes its papain-like protease (PLpro) to impede ISG15 conjugation, ISGylation. However, the role of ISGylation in SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate the role of ISGylation in SARS-CoV-2 replication. We observed that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein is a target protein for the HERC5 E3 ligase-mediated ISGylation in cultured cells. Site-directed mutagenesis reveals that the residue K374 within the C-terminal spacer B-N3 (SB/N3) domain is required for nucleocapsid-ISGylation, alongside conserved lysine residue in MERS-CoV (K372) and SARS-CoV (K375). We also observed that the nucleocapsid-ISGylation results in the disruption of nucleocapsid oligomerization, thereby inhibiting viral replication. Knockdown of ISG15 mRNA enhanced SARS-CoV-2 replication in the SARS-CoV-2 reporter replicon cells, while exogenous expression of ISGylation components partially hampered SARS-CoV-2 replication. Taken together, these results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 PLpro inhibits ISGylation of the nucleocapsid protein to promote viral replication by evading ISGylation-mediated disruption of the nucleocapsid oligomerization.IMPORTANCEISG15 is an interferon-inducible ubiquitin-like protein that is covalently conjugated to the viral protein via specific Lys residues and suppresses viral functions and viral propagation in many viruses. However, the role of ISGylation in SARS-CoV-2 infection remains largely unclear. Here, we demonstrated that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein is a target protein for the HERC5 E3 ligase-mediated ISGylation. We also found that the residue K374 within the C-terminal spacer B-N3 (SB/N3) domain is required for nucleocapsid-ISGylation. We obtained evidence suggesting that nucleocapsid-ISGylation results in the disruption of nucleocapsid-oligomerization, thereby suppressing SARS-CoV-2 replication. We discovered that SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease inhibits ISG15 conjugation of nucleocapsid protein via its de-conjugating enzyme activity. The present study may contribute to gaining new insight into the roles of ISGylation-mediated anti-viral function in SARS-CoV-2 infection and may lead to the development of more potent and selective inhibitors targeted to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aulia Fitri Rhamadianti
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
- Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Takayuki Abe
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
- Department of Virology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Tanaka
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
- Division of Hepatitis Virology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Chikako Ono
- Center for Infectious Diseases Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hisashi Katayama
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yoshiteru Makino
- Drug Discovery Science, Division of Advanced Medical Science, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
- Center for Cell Signaling and Medical Innovation, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Lin Deng
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Chieko Matsui
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kohji Moriishi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
- Division of Hepatitis Virology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Fumi Shima
- Drug Discovery Science, Division of Advanced Medical Science, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yoshiharu Matsuura
- Center for Infectious Diseases Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Virus Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases (RIMD), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ikuo Shoji
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
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2
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Lisi S, Malerba F, Quaranta P, Florio R, Vitaloni O, Monaca E, Bruni Ercole B, Bitonti AR, Del Perugia O, Mignanelli M, Perrera P, Sabbatella R, Raimondi F, Piazza CR, Moles A, Alfano C, Pistello M, Cattaneo A. Selection and characterization of human scFvs targeting the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein isolated from antibody libraries of COVID-19 patients. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15864. [PMID: 38982108 PMCID: PMC11233501 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66558-0] [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: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
In 2019, the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus emerged in China, causing the pneumonia named COVID-19. At the beginning, all research efforts were focused on the spike (S) glycoprotein. However, it became evident that the nucleocapsid (N) protein is pivotal in viral replication, genome packaging and evasion of the immune system, is highly immunogenic, which makes it another compelling target for antibody development alongside the spike protein. This study focused on the construction of single chain fragments variable (scFvs) libraries from SARS-CoV-2-infected patients to establish a valuable, immortalized and extensive antibodies source. We used the Intracellular Antibody Capture Technology to select a panel of scFvs against the SARS-CoV-2 N protein. The whole panel of scFv was expressed and characterized both as intrabodies and recombinant proteins. ScFvs were then divided into 2 subgroups: those that exhibited high binding activity to N protein when expressed in yeast or in mammalian cells as intrabodies, and those purified as recombinant proteins, displaying affinity for recombinant N protein in the nanomolar range. This panel of scFvs against the N protein represents a novel platform for research and potential diagnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simonetta Lisi
- Bio@SNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Malerba
- Fondazione EBRI (European Brain Research Institute) Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Quaranta
- Retrovirus Centre, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
- Virology Operative Unit, Pisa University Hospital, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rita Florio
- Fondazione EBRI (European Brain Research Institute) Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Ottavia Vitaloni
- Bio@SNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisa Monaca
- Structural Biology and Biophysics Unit, Fondazione Ri.MED, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Bruno Bruni Ercole
- Fondazione EBRI (European Brain Research Institute) Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Olga Del Perugia
- Bio@SNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Paola Perrera
- Retrovirus Centre, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaele Sabbatella
- Structural Biology and Biophysics Unit, Fondazione Ri.MED, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Carmen Rita Piazza
- Retrovirus Centre, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Moles
- Genomnia Srl, 20091, Bresso, MI, Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CNR, 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Caterina Alfano
- Structural Biology and Biophysics Unit, Fondazione Ri.MED, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mauro Pistello
- Retrovirus Centre, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
- Virology Operative Unit, Pisa University Hospital, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Bio@SNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
- Fondazione EBRI (European Brain Research Institute) Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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3
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Nguyen A, Zhao H, Myagmarsuren D, Srinivasan S, Wu D, Chen J, Piszczek G, Schuck P. Modulation of biophysical properties of nucleocapsid protein in the mutant spectrum of SARS-CoV-2. eLife 2024; 13:RP94836. [PMID: 38941236 PMCID: PMC11213569 DOI: 10.7554/elife.94836] [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] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity is a hallmark of RNA viruses and the basis for their evolutionary success. Taking advantage of the uniquely large genomic database of SARS-CoV-2, we examine the impact of mutations across the spectrum of viable amino acid sequences on the biophysical phenotypes of the highly expressed and multifunctional nucleocapsid protein. We find variation in the physicochemical parameters of its extended intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) sufficient to allow local plasticity, but also observe functional constraints that similarly occur in related coronaviruses. In biophysical experiments with several N-protein species carrying mutations associated with major variants, we find that point mutations in the IDRs can have nonlocal impact and modulate thermodynamic stability, secondary structure, protein oligomeric state, particle formation, and liquid-liquid phase separation. In the Omicron variant, distant mutations in different IDRs have compensatory effects in shifting a delicate balance of interactions controlling protein assembly properties, and include the creation of a new protein-protein interaction interface in the N-terminal IDR through the defining P13L mutation. A picture emerges where genetic diversity is accompanied by significant variation in biophysical characteristics of functional N-protein species, in particular in the IDRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai Nguyen
- Laboratory of Dynamics of Macromolecular Assembly, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Huaying Zhao
- Laboratory of Dynamics of Macromolecular Assembly, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Dulguun Myagmarsuren
- Laboratory of Dynamics of Macromolecular Assembly, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Sanjana Srinivasan
- Laboratory of Dynamics of Macromolecular Assembly, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Di Wu
- Biophysics Core Facility, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Jiji Chen
- Advanced Imaging and Microscopy Resource, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Grzegorz Piszczek
- Biophysics Core Facility, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Peter Schuck
- Laboratory of Dynamics of Macromolecular Assembly, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
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4
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Stuwe H, Reardon PN, Yu Z, Shah S, Hughes K, Barbar EJ. Phosphorylation in the Ser/Arg-rich region of the nucleocapsid of SARS-CoV-2 regulates phase separation by inhibiting self-association of a distant helix. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107354. [PMID: 38718862 PMCID: PMC11180338 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107354] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The nucleocapsid protein (N) of SARS-CoV-2 is essential for virus replication, genome packaging, evading host immunity, and virus maturation. N is a multidomain protein composed of an independently folded monomeric N-terminal domain that is the primary site for RNA binding and a dimeric C-terminal domain that is essential for efficient phase separation and condensate formation with RNA. The domains are separated by a disordered Ser/Arg-rich region preceding a self-associating Leu-rich helix. Phosphorylation in the Ser/Arg region in infected cells decreases the viscosity of N:RNA condensates promoting viral replication and host immune evasion. The molecular level effect of phosphorylation, however, is missing from our current understanding. Using NMR spectroscopy and analytical ultracentrifugation, we show that phosphorylation destabilizes the self-associating Leu-rich helix 30 amino-acids distant from the phosphorylation site. NMR and gel shift assays demonstrate that RNA binding by the linker is dampened by phosphorylation, whereas RNA binding to the full-length protein is not significantly affected presumably due to retained strong interactions with the primary RNA-binding domain. Introducing a switchable self-associating domain to replace the Leu-rich helix confirms the importance of linker self-association to droplet formation and suggests that phosphorylation not only increases solubility of the positively charged elongated Ser/Arg region as observed in other RNA-binding proteins but can also inhibit self-association of the Leu-rich helix. These data highlight the effect of phosphorylation both at local sites and at a distant self-associating hydrophobic helix in regulating liquid-liquid phase separation of the entire protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Stuwe
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Zhen Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Sahana Shah
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Hughes
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Elisar J Barbar
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.
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5
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Gheban-Roșca IA, Gheban BA, Pop B, Mironescu DC, Siserman VC, Jianu EM, Drugan T, Bolboacă SD. Immunohistochemical and Morphometric Analysis of Lung Tissue in Fatal COVID-19. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:914. [PMID: 38732328 PMCID: PMC11082993 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14090914] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The primary targets of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the lungs are type I pneumocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells. We aimed to identify lung cells targeted by SARS-CoV-2 using viral nucleocapsid protein staining and morphometric features on patients with fatal COVID-19. We conducted a retrospective analysis of fifty-one autopsy cases of individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Demographic and clinical information were collected from forensic reports, and lung tissue was examined for microscopic lesions and the presence of specific cell types. Half of the evaluated cohort were older than 71 years, and the majority were male (74.5%). In total, 24 patients presented diffuse alveolar damage (DAD), and 50.9% had comorbidities (56.9% obesity, 33.3% hypertension, 15.7% diabetes mellitus). Immunohistochemical analysis showed a similar pattern of infected macrophages, infected type I pneumocytes, and endothelial cells, regardless of the presence of DAD (p > 0.5). The immunohistochemical reactivity score (IRS) was predominantly moderate but without significant differences between patients with and without DAD (p = 0.633 IRS for type I pneumocytes, p = 0.773 IRS for macrophage, and p = 0.737 for IRS endothelium). The nucleus/cytoplasm ratio shows lower values in patients with DAD (median: 0.29 vs. 0.35), but the difference only reaches a tendency for statistical significance (p = 0.083). Our study confirms the presence of infected macrophages, type I pneumocytes, and endothelial cells with a similar pattern in patients with and without diffuse alveolar damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana-Andreea Gheban-Roșca
- Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.-A.G.-R.); (T.D.)
- Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Bogdan-Alexandru Gheban
- County Emergency Clinical Hospital, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Histology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Bogdan Pop
- The Oncology Institute “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuță”, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Daniela-Cristina Mironescu
- Forensic Institute, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.-C.M.); (V.C.S.)
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Vasile Costel Siserman
- Forensic Institute, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.-C.M.); (V.C.S.)
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Elena Mihaela Jianu
- Department of Histology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Tudor Drugan
- Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.-A.G.-R.); (T.D.)
| | - Sorana D. Bolboacă
- Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.-A.G.-R.); (T.D.)
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6
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Xia J, Wang J, Ying L, Huang R, Zhang K, Zhang R, Tang W, Xu Q, Lai D, Zhang Y, Hu Y, Zhang X, Zang R, Fan J, Shu Q, Xu J. RAGE Is a Receptor for SARS-CoV-2 N Protein and Mediates N Protein-induced Acute Lung Injury. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2023; 69:508-520. [PMID: 37478333 PMCID: PMC10633841 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2022-0351oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleocapsid protein (N-protein) increases early in body fluids during infection and has recently been identified as a direct inducer for lung injury. However, the signal mechanism of N-protein in the lung inflammatory response remains poorly understood. The goal of this study was to determine whether RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation endproducts) participated in N-protein-induced acute lung injury. The binding between N-protein and RAGE was examined via assays for protein-protein interaction. To determine the signaling mechanism in vitro, cells were treated with recombinant N-protein and assayed for the activation of the RAGE/MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)/NF-ĸB pathway. RAGE deficiency mice and antagonist were used to study N-protein-induced acute lung injury in vivo. Binding between N-protein and RAGE was confirmed via flow cytometry-based binding assay, surface plasmon resonance, and ELISA. Pull-down and coimmunoprecipitation assays revealed that N-protein bound RAGE via both N-terminal and C-terminal domains. In vitro, N-protein activated the RAGE-ERK1/2-NF-ĸB signaling pathway and induced a proinflammatory response. RAGE deficiency subdued N-protein-induced proinflammatory signaling and response. In vivo, RAGE was upregulated in the BAL and lung tissue after recombinant N-protein insult. RAGE deficiency and small molecule antagonist partially protected mice from N-protein-induced acute lung injury. Our study demonstrated that RAGE is a receptor for N-protein. RAGE is partially responsible for N-protein-induced acute lung injury and has the potential to become a therapeutic target for treating coronavirus disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Xia
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiangmei Wang
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liyang Ying
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ruoqiong Huang
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; and
| | - Ruoyang Zhang
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenqi Tang
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Xu
- Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dengming Lai
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yaoqin Hu
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaodie Zhang
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ruoxi Zang
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiajie Fan
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Shu
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianguo Xu
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
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7
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Boniardi I, Corona A, Basquin J, Basquin C, Milia J, Nagy I, Tramontano E, Zinzula L. Suramin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid phosphoprotein genome packaging function. Virus Res 2023; 336:199221. [PMID: 37704176 PMCID: PMC10514558 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is fading, however its etiologic agent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues posing - despite the availability of licensed vaccines - a global health threat, due to the potential emergence of vaccine-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants. This makes the development of new drugs against COVID-19 a persistent urgency and sets as research priority the validation of novel therapeutic targets within the SARS-CoV-2 proteome. Among these, a promising one is the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) phosphoprotein, a major structural component of the virion with indispensable role in packaging the viral genome into a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex, which also contributes to SARS-CoV-2 innate immune evasion by inhibiting the host cell type-I interferon (IFN-I) response. By combining miniaturized differential scanning fluorimetry with microscale thermophoresis, we found that the 100-year-old drug Suramin interacts with SARS-CoV-2 N-terminal domain (NTD) and C-terminal domain (CTD), thereby inhibiting their single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) binding function with low-micromolar Kd and IC50 values. Molecular docking suggests that Suramin interacts with basic NTD cleft and CTD dimer interface groove, highlighting three potentially druggable ssRNA binding sites. Electron microscopy shows that Suramin inhibits the formation in vitro of RNP complex-like condensates by SARS-CoV-2 N with a synthetic ssRNA. In a dose-dependent manner, Suramin also reduced SARS-CoV-2-induced cytopathic effect on Vero E6 and Calu-3 cells, partially reverting the SARS-CoV-2 N-inhibited IFN-I production in 293T cells. Our findings indicate that Suramin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication by hampering viral genome packaging, thereby representing a starting model for design of new COVID-19 antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Boniardi
- Department of Molecular Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Angela Corona
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato 09042, Italy
| | - Jerome Basquin
- Department of Structural Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Claire Basquin
- Department of Structural Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Jessica Milia
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato 09042, Italy
| | - István Nagy
- Center of Research and Development, Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, Eger 3300, Hungary
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato 09042, Italy.
| | - Luca Zinzula
- Department of Molecular Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried 82152, Germany.
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8
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Estelle AB, Forsythe HM, Yu Z, Hughes K, Lasher B, Allen P, Reardon PN, Hendrix DA, Barbar EJ. RNA structure and multiple weak interactions balance the interplay between RNA binding and phase separation of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad333. [PMID: 37901441 PMCID: PMC10605006 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
The nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds viral RNA, condensing it inside the virion, and phase separating with RNA to form liquid-liquid condensates. There is little consensus on what differentiates sequence-independent N-RNA interactions in the virion or in liquid droplets from those with specific genomic RNA (gRNA) motifs necessary for viral function inside infected cells. To identify the RNA structures and the N domains responsible for specific interactions and phase separation, we use the first 1,000 nt of viral RNA and short RNA segments designed as models for single-stranded and paired RNA. Binding affinities estimated from fluorescence anisotropy of these RNAs to the two-folded domains of N (the NTD and CTD) and comparison to full-length N demonstrate that the NTD binds preferentially to single-stranded RNA, and while it is the primary RNA-binding site, it is not essential to phase separation. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy identifies two RNA-binding sites on the NTD: a previously characterized site and an additional although weaker RNA-binding face that becomes prominent when binding to the primary site is weak, such as with dsRNA or a binding-impaired mutant. Phase separation assays of nucleocapsid domains with double-stranded and single-stranded RNA structures support a model where multiple weak interactions, such as with the CTD or the NTD's secondary face promote phase separation, while strong, specific interactions do not. These studies indicate that both strong and multivalent weak N-RNA interactions underlie the multifunctional abilities of N.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan B Estelle
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Heather M Forsythe
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Zhen Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Hughes
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Brittany Lasher
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Patrick Allen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Patrick N Reardon
- Oregon State University NMR Facility, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - David A Hendrix
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Elisar J Barbar
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
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9
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Lam JY, Wong WM, Yuen CK, Ng YY, San CH, Yuen KY, Kok KH. An RNA-Scaffold Protein Subunit Vaccine for Nasal Immunization. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1550. [PMID: 37896953 PMCID: PMC10610892 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11101550] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing recombinant proteins as nasal vaccines for inducing systemic and mucosal immunity against respiratory viruses is promising. However, additional adjuvants are required to overcome the low immunogenicity of protein antigens. Here, a self-adjuvanted protein-RNA ribonucleoprotein vaccine was developed and found to be an effective nasal vaccine in mice and the SARS-CoV-2 infection model. The vaccine consisted of spike RBD (as an antigen), nucleoprotein (as an adaptor), and ssRNA (as an adjuvant and RNA scaffold). This combination robustly induced mucosal IgA, neutralizing antibodies and activated multifunctional T-cells, while also providing sterilizing immunity against live virus challenge. In addition, high-resolution scRNA-seq analysis highlighted airway-resident immune cells profile during prime-boost immunization. The vaccine also possesses modularity (antigen/adaptor/RNA scaffold) and can be made to target other viruses. This protein-RNA ribonucleoprotein vaccine is a novel and promising approach for developing safe and potent nasal vaccines to combat respiratory virus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy-Yan Lam
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wan-Man Wong
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chun-Kit Yuen
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yau-Yee Ng
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chun-Hin San
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kin-Hang Kok
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- AIDS Institute, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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10
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Korn SM, Dhamotharan K, Jeffries CM, Schlundt A. The preference signature of the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid NTD for its 5'-genomic RNA elements. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3331. [PMID: 37286558 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38882-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleocapsid protein (N) of SARS-CoV-2 plays a pivotal role during the viral life cycle. It is involved in RNA transcription and accounts for packaging of the large genome into virus particles. N manages the enigmatic balance of bulk RNA-coating versus precise RNA-binding to designated cis-regulatory elements. Numerous studies report the involvement of its disordered segments in non-selective RNA-recognition, but how N organizes the inevitable recognition of specific motifs remains unanswered. We here use NMR spectroscopy to systematically analyze the interactions of N's N-terminal RNA-binding domain (NTD) with individual cis RNA elements clustering in the SARS-CoV-2 regulatory 5'-genomic end. Supported by broad solution-based biophysical data, we unravel the NTD RNA-binding preferences in the natural genome context. We show that the domain's flexible regions read the intrinsic signature of preferred RNA elements for selective and stable complex formation within the large pool of available motifs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Marianne Korn
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt/M., Germany
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt/M., Germany
| | - Karthikeyan Dhamotharan
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt/M., Germany
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt/M., Germany
| | - Cy M Jeffries
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Hamburg Site, c/o Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron, Notkestr. 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Schlundt
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt/M., Germany.
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt/M., Germany.
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11
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Zhao H, Wu D, Hassan SA, Nguyen A, Chen J, Piszczek G, Schuck P. A conserved oligomerization domain in the disordered linker of coronavirus nucleocapsid proteins. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg6473. [PMID: 37018390 PMCID: PMC10075959 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg6473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The nucleocapsid (N-)protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a key role in viral assembly and scaffolding of the viral RNA. It promotes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), forming dense droplets that support the assembly of ribonucleoprotein particles with as-of-yet unknown macromolecular architecture. Combining biophysical experiments, molecular dynamics simulations, and analysis of the mutational landscape, we describe a heretofore unknown oligomerization site that contributes to LLPS, is required for the assembly of higher-order protein-nucleic acid complexes, and is coupled to large-scale conformational changes of N-protein upon nucleic acid binding. The self-association interface is located in a leucine-rich sequence of the intrinsically disordered linker between N-protein folded domains and formed by transient helices assembling into trimeric coiled-coils. Critical residues stabilizing hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions between adjacent helices are highly protected against mutations in viable SARS-CoV-2 genomes, and the oligomerization motif is conserved across related coronaviruses, thus presenting a target for antiviral therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaying Zhao
- Laboratory of Dynamics of Macromolecular Assembly, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Di Wu
- Biophysics Core Facility, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sergio A. Hassan
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ai Nguyen
- Laboratory of Dynamics of Macromolecular Assembly, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jiji Chen
- Advanced Imaging and Microscopy Resource, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Grzegorz Piszczek
- Biophysics Core Facility, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Peter Schuck
- Laboratory of Dynamics of Macromolecular Assembly, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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12
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Lodola C, Secchi M, Sinigiani V, De Palma A, Rossi R, Perico D, Mauri PL, Maga G. Interaction of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein and Human RNA Helicases DDX1 and DDX3X Modulates Their Activities on Double-Stranded RNA. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065784. [PMID: 36982856 PMCID: PMC10058294 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065784] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleocapsid protein Np of SARS-CoV-2 is involved in the replication, transcription, and packaging of the viral genome, but it also plays a role in the modulation of the host cell innate immunity and inflammation response. Ectopic expression of Np alone was able to induce significant changes in the proteome of human cells. The cellular RNA helicase DDX1 was among the proteins whose levels were increased by Np expression. DDX1 and its related helicase DDX3X were found to physically interact with Np and to increase 2- to 4-fold its affinity for double-stranded RNA in a helicase-independent manner. Conversely, Np inhibited the RNA helicase activity of both proteins. These functional interactions among Np and DDX1 and DDX3X highlight novel possible roles played by these host RNA helicases in the viral life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Lodola
- Institute of Molecular Genetics IGM CNR "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100 Pavia, PV, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Secchi
- Institute of Molecular Genetics IGM CNR "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100 Pavia, PV, Italy
| | - Virginia Sinigiani
- Institute of Molecular Genetics IGM CNR "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100 Pavia, PV, Italy
| | - Antonella De Palma
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies ITB-CNR, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, 20054 Segrate, MI, Italy
| | - Rossana Rossi
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies ITB-CNR, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, 20054 Segrate, MI, Italy
| | - Davide Perico
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies ITB-CNR, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, 20054 Segrate, MI, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Mauri
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies ITB-CNR, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, 20054 Segrate, MI, Italy
| | - Giovanni Maga
- Institute of Molecular Genetics IGM CNR "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100 Pavia, PV, Italy
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13
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Vidal LEL, Figueira-Mansur J, Jurgilas PB, Argondizzo APC, Pestana CP, Martins FO, da Silva Junior HC, Miguez M, Loureiro BO, Marques CDFS, Trinta KS, da Silva LBR, de Mello MB, da Silva ED, Bastos RC, Esteves G. Process development and characterization of recombinant nucleocapsid protein for its application on COVID-19 diagnosis. Protein Expr Purif 2023; 207:106263. [PMID: 36921810 PMCID: PMC10012136 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2023.106263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic was caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (Sars-CoV-2). The nucleocapsid (N) protein from Sars-CoV-2 is a highly immunogenic antigen and responsible for genome packing. Serological assays are important tools to detect previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2, complement epidemiological studies, vaccine evaluation and also in COVID-19 surveillance. SARS-CoV-2 N (r2N) protein was produced in Escherichia coli, characterized, and the immunological performance was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and beads-based array immunoassay. r2N protein oligomers were evidenced when it is associated to nucleic acid. Benzonase treatment reduced host nucleic acid associated to r2N protein, but crosslinking assay still demonstrates the presence of higher-order oligomers. Nevertheless, after RNase treatment the higher-order oligomers reduced, and dimer form increased, suggesting RNA contributes to the oligomer formation. Structural analysis revealed nucleic acid did not interfere with the thermal stability of the recombinant protein. Interestingly, nucleic acid was able to prevent r2N protein aggregation even with increasing temperature while the protein benzonase treated begin aggregation process above 55 °C. In immunological characterization, ELISA performed with 233 serum samples presented a sensitivity of 97.44% (95% Confidence Interval, CI, 91.04%, 99.69%) and a specificity of 98.71% (95% CI, 95.42%, 99.84%) while beads-based array immunoassay carried out with 217 samples showed 100% sensitivity and 98.6% specificity. The results exhibited an excellent immunological performance of r2N protein in serologic assays showing that, even in presence of nucleic acid, it can be used as a component of an immunoassay for the sensitive and specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luãnna Elisa Liebscher Vidal
- Macromolecules Laboratory, Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil.
| | - Janaina Figueira-Mansur
- Recombinant Technology Laboratory, Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Barbosa Jurgilas
- Macromolecules Laboratory, Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Correa Argondizzo
- Recombinant Technology Laboratory, Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Pinheiro Pestana
- Recombinant Technology Laboratory, Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Otaviano Martins
- Recombinant Technology Laboratory, Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Haroldo Cid da Silva Junior
- Immunological Technology Laboratory, Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Mariana Miguez
- Recombinant Technology Laboratory, Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Bernardo Oliveira Loureiro
- Diagnostic Technology Laboratory, Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Christiane de Fátima Silva Marques
- Diagnostic Technology Laboratory, Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Karen Soares Trinta
- Diagnostic Technology Laboratory, Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Leila Botelho Rodrigues da Silva
- Diagnostic Technology Laboratory, Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Marcelle Bral de Mello
- Diagnostic Technology Laboratory, Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Edimilson Domingos da Silva
- Diagnostic Technology Laboratory, Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Renata Chagas Bastos
- Macromolecules Laboratory, Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Esteves
- Recombinant Technology Laboratory, Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, Brazil
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14
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Maghsood F, Ghorbani A, Yadegari H, Golsaz-Shirazi F, Amiri MM, Shokri F. SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid: Biological functions and implication for disease diagnosis and vaccine design. Rev Med Virol 2023; 33:e2431. [PMID: 36790816 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is transmitted by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and has affected millions of people all around the world, leading to more than 6.5 million deaths. The nucleocapsid (N) phosphoprotein plays important roles in modulating viral replication and transcription, virus-infected cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and regulation of host innate immunity. As an immunodominant protein, N protein induces strong humoral and cellular immune responses in COVID-19 patients, making it a key marker for studying N-specific B cell and T cell responses and the development of diagnostic serological assays and efficient vaccines. In this review, we focus on the structural and functional features and the kinetic and epitope mapping of B cell and T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 N protein to extend our understanding on the development of sensitive and specific diagnostic immunological tests and effective vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Maghsood
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Ghorbani
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Yadegari
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Forough Golsaz-Shirazi
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Amiri
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fazel Shokri
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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15
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Zheng Y, Gao C. Phase Separation: The Robust Modulator of Innate Antiviral Signaling and SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020243. [PMID: 36839515 PMCID: PMC9962166 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has been a pandemic threat to human health and the worldwide economy, but efficient treatments are still lacking. Type I and III interferons are essential for controlling viral infection, indicating that antiviral innate immune signaling is critical for defense against viral infection. Phase separation, one of the basic molecular processes, governs multiple cellular activities, such as cancer progression, microbial infection, and signaling transduction. Notably, recent studies suggest that phase separation regulates antiviral signaling such as the RLR and cGAS-STING pathways. Moreover, proper phase separation of viral proteins is essential for viral replication and pathogenesis. These observations indicate that phase separation is a critical checkpoint for virus and host interaction. In this study, we summarize the recent advances concerning the regulation of antiviral innate immune signaling and SARS-CoV-2 infection by phase separation. Our review highlights the emerging notion that phase separation is the robust modulator of innate antiviral signaling and viral infection.
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16
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Chau BA, Chen V, Cochrane AW, Parent LJ, Mouland AJ. Liquid-liquid phase separation of nucleocapsid proteins during SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-1 replication. Cell Rep 2023; 42:111968. [PMID: 36640305 PMCID: PMC9790868 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The leap of retroviruses and coronaviruses from animal hosts to humans has led to two ongoing pandemics and tens of millions of deaths worldwide. Retrovirus and coronavirus nucleocapsid proteins have been studied extensively as potential drug targets due to their central roles in virus replication, among which is their capacity to bind their respective genomic RNAs for packaging into nascent virions. This review focuses on fundamental studies of these nucleocapsid proteins and how their intrinsic abilities to condense through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) contribute to viral replication. Therapeutic targeting of these condensates and methodological advances are also described to address future questions on how phase separation contributes to viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-An Chau
- HIV-1 RNA Trafficking Lab, Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Venessa Chen
- HIV-1 RNA Trafficking Lab, Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Alan W Cochrane
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Leslie J Parent
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, Departments of Medicine and Microbiology and Immunology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Andrew J Mouland
- HIV-1 RNA Trafficking Lab, Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.
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17
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Luo X, Yue W, Zhang S, Liu H, Chen Z, Qiao L, Wu C, Li P, He Y. SARS-CoV-2 proteins monitored by long-range surface plasmon field-enhanced Raman scattering with hybrid bowtie nanoaperture arrays and nanocavities. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:388-399. [PMID: 36621932 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc01006b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The identification of biomacromolecules by using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) remains a challenge because of the near-field effect of traditional substrates. Long-range surface plasmon resonance (LRSPR) is a special type of surface optical phenomenon that provides higher electromagnetic field enhancement and longer penetration depth than conventional surface plasmon resonance. To break the limit of SERS detection distance and obtain a SERS substrate with increased enhancement ability, a bowtie nanoaperture array was sandwiched between two symmetric dielectric environments. Then, an Au mirror was inserted to form a metal-insulator-metal configuration. Finite-difference time-domain simulations revealed that numerous hybrid modes can be provided by this novel configuration (denoted as long-range SERS [LR-SERS] substrate). In particular, the LRSPR mode can be excited and reach the maximum value through the regulation of the polarizations of the incident light and the geometrical parameters of the LR-SERS substrate. The optimized LR-SERS substrate was then applied to detect SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins. This substrate displayed ultralow detection limits of ∼9.2 and ∼11.3 pg mL-1 for the S and N proteins, respectively. Moreover, with the help of principal component analysis and receiver operating characteristic methods, our fabricated sensors exhibited excellent selectivity and hold great potential for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in real samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Luo
- School of Science, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, P. R. China.
| | - Weiling Yue
- School of Science, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, P. R. China.
| | - Shutong Zhang
- School of Science, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, P. R. China.
| | - Haopeng Liu
- School of Science, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, P. R. China.
| | - Zhinan Chen
- School of Science, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, P. R. China.
| | - Ling Qiao
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Caijun Wu
- School of Science, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, P. R. China.
| | - Panjie Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China.
| | - Yi He
- School of Science, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, P. R. China.
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18
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Discovery and structural characterization of chicoric acid as a SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein ligand and RNA binding disruptor. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18500. [PMID: 36323732 PMCID: PMC9628480 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22576-4] [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: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleocapsid (N) protein plays critical roles in coronavirus genome transcription and packaging, representing a key target for the development of novel antivirals, and for which structural information on ligand binding is scarce. We used a novel fluorescence polarization assay to identify small molecules that disrupt the binding of the N protein to a target RNA derived from the SARS-CoV-2 genome packaging signal. Several phenolic compounds, including L-chicoric acid (CA), were identified as high-affinity N-protein ligands. The binding of CA to the N protein was confirmed by isothermal titration calorimetry, 1H-STD and 15N-HSQC NMR, and by the crystal structure of CA bound to the N protein C-terminal domain (CTD), further revealing a new modulatory site in the SARS-CoV-2 N protein. Moreover, CA reduced SARS-CoV-2 replication in cell cultures. These data thus open venues for the development of new antivirals targeting the N protein, an essential and yet underexplored coronavirus target.
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19
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Zachrdla M, Savastano A, Ibáñez de Opakua A, Cima‐Omori M, Zweckstetter M. Contributions of the N‐terminal intrinsically disordered region of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 nucleocapsid protein to RNA‐induced phase separation. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4409. [PMID: 36040256 PMCID: PMC9387207 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) nucleocapsid protein is an essential structural component of mature virions, encapsulating the genomic RNA and modulating RNA transcription and replication. Several of its activities might be associated with the protein's ability to undergo liquid–liquid phase separation. NSARS‐CoV‐2 contains an intrinsically disordered region at its N‐terminus (NTE) that can be phosphorylated and is affected by mutations found in human COVID‐19 infections, including in the Omicron variant of concern. Here, we show that NTE deletion decreases the range of RNA concentrations that can induce phase separation of NSARS‐CoV‐2. In addition, deletion of the prion‐like NTE allows NSARS‐CoV‐2 droplets to retain their liquid‐like nature during incubation. We further demonstrate that RNA‐binding engages multiple parts of the NTE and changes NTE's structural properties. The results form the foundation to characterize the impact of N‐terminal mutations and post‐translational modifications on the molecular properties of the SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Zachrdla
- Research group Translational Structural Biology German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Göttingen Germany
| | - Adriana Savastano
- Research group Translational Structural Biology German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Göttingen Germany
| | - Alain Ibáñez de Opakua
- Research group Translational Structural Biology German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Göttingen Germany
| | - Maria‐Sol Cima‐Omori
- Research group Translational Structural Biology German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Göttingen Germany
| | - Markus Zweckstetter
- Research group Translational Structural Biology German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Göttingen Germany
- NMR‐based Structural Biology Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences Göttingen Germany
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Guérin P, Yahi N, Azzaz F, Chahinian H, Sabatier JM, Fantini J. Structural Dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein: A 2-Year Retrospective Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Variants (from Alpha to Omicron) Reveals an Early Divergence between Conserved and Variable Epitopes. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27123851. [PMID: 35744971 PMCID: PMC9230616 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We analyzed the epitope evolution of the spike protein in 1,860,489 SARS-CoV-2 genomes. The structural dynamics of these epitopes was determined by molecular modeling approaches. The D614G mutation, selected in the first months of the pandemic, is still present in currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains. This mutation facilitates the conformational change leading to the demasking of the ACE2 binding domain. D614G also abrogated the binding of facilitating antibodies to a linear epitope common to SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. The main neutralizing epitope of the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the spike protein showed extensive structural variability in SARS-CoV-2 variants, especially Delta and Omicron. This epitope is located on the flat surface of the NTD, a large electropositive area which binds to electronegatively charged lipid rafts of host cells. A facilitating epitope located on the lower part of the NTD appeared to be highly conserved among most SARS-CoV-2 variants, which may represent a risk of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). Overall, this retrospective analysis revealed an early divergence between conserved (facilitating) and variable (neutralizing) epitopes of the spike protein. These data aid in the designing of new antiviral strategies that could help to control COVID-19 infection by mimicking neutralizing antibodies or by blocking facilitating antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nouara Yahi
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Aix-Marseille University, CEDEX, 13015 Marseille, France; (N.Y.); (F.A.); (H.C.)
| | - Fodil Azzaz
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Aix-Marseille University, CEDEX, 13015 Marseille, France; (N.Y.); (F.A.); (H.C.)
| | - Henri Chahinian
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Aix-Marseille University, CEDEX, 13015 Marseille, France; (N.Y.); (F.A.); (H.C.)
| | - Jean-Marc Sabatier
- Inst Neurophysiopathol, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INP, CEDEX, 13005 Marseille, France;
| | - Jacques Fantini
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Aix-Marseille University, CEDEX, 13015 Marseille, France; (N.Y.); (F.A.); (H.C.)
- Correspondence:
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