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Hone AJ, Santiago U, Harvey PJ, Tekarli B, Gajewiak J, Craik DJ, Camacho CJ, McIntosh JM. Design, Synthesis, and Structure-Activity Relationships of Novel Peptide Derivatives of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 Spike-Protein that Potently Inhibit Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. J Med Chem 2024; 67:9587-9598. [PMID: 38814877 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The spike-protein of SARS-CoV-2 has a distinctive amino-acid sequence (682RRARS686) that forms a cleavage site for the enzyme furin. Strikingly, the structure of the spike-protein loop containing the furin cleavage site bears substantial similarity to neurotoxin peptides found in the venoms of certain snakes and marine cone snails. Leveraging this relationship, we designed and synthesized disulfide-constrained peptides with amino-acid sequences corresponding to the furin cleavage-sites of wild-type (B.1 variant) SARS-CoV-2 or the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants. Remarkably, some of these peptides potently inhibited α7 and α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) with nM affinity and showed SARS-CoV-2 variant and nAChR subtype-dependent potencies. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular dynamics were used to rationalize structure-activity relationships between peptides and their cognate receptors. These findings delineate nAChR subtypes that can serve as high-affinity spike-protein targets in tissues central to COVID-19 pathophysiology and identify ligands and target receptors to inform the development of novel SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arik J Hone
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
- MIRECC, George E. Whalen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84148, United States
| | - Ulises Santiago
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Bassel Tekarli
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Joanna Gajewiak
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Carlos J Camacho
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - J Michael McIntosh
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
- George E. Whalen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84148, United States
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Carrascosa-Sàez M, Marqués MC, Geller R, Elena SF, Rahmeh A, Dufloo J, Sanjuán R. Cell type-specific adaptation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike. Virus Evol 2024; 10:veae032. [PMID: 38779130 PMCID: PMC11110937 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veae032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect various human tissues and cell types, principally via interaction with its cognate receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). However, how the virus evolves in different cellular environments is poorly understood. Here, we used experimental evolution to study the adaptation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike to four human cell lines expressing different levels of key entry factors. After twenty passages of a spike-expressing recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), cell-type-specific phenotypic changes were observed and sequencing allowed the identification of sixteen adaptive spike mutations. We used VSV pseudotyping to measure the entry efficiency, ACE2 affinity, spike processing, TMPRSS2 usage, and entry pathway usage of all the mutants, alone or in combination. The fusogenicity of the mutant spikes was assessed with a cell-cell fusion assay. Finally, mutant recombinant VSVs were used to measure the fitness advantage associated with selected mutations. We found that the effects of these mutations varied across cell types, both in terms of viral entry and replicative fitness. Interestingly, two spike mutations (L48S and A372T) that emerged in cells expressing low ACE2 levels increased receptor affinity, syncytia induction, and entry efficiency under low-ACE2 conditions. Our results demonstrate specific adaptation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike to different cell types and have implications for understanding SARS-CoV-2 tissue tropism and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Carrascosa-Sàez
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio). University of Valencia—CSIC, Paterna, 46980, Spain
| | - María-Carmen Marqués
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio). University of Valencia—CSIC, Paterna, 46980, Spain
| | - Ron Geller
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio). University of Valencia—CSIC, Paterna, 46980, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV), CSIC and CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia 46010, Spain
| | - Santiago F Elena
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio). University of Valencia—CSIC, Paterna, 46980, Spain
- The Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
| | - Amal Rahmeh
- Departament de Medicina i Ciències de La Vida (MELIS), Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Jérémy Dufloo
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio). University of Valencia—CSIC, Paterna, 46980, Spain
| | - Rafael Sanjuán
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio). University of Valencia—CSIC, Paterna, 46980, Spain
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3
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Dufloo J, Sanjuán R. Temperature impacts SARS-CoV-2 spike fusogenicity and evolution. mBio 2024; 15:e0336023. [PMID: 38411986 PMCID: PMC11005339 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03360-23] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infects both the upper and lower respiratory tracts, which are characterized by different temperatures (33°C and 37°C, respectively). In addition, fever is a common COVID-19 symptom. SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to replicate more efficiently at low temperatures, but the effect of temperature on different viral proteins remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate how temperature affects the SARS-CoV-2 spike function and evolution. We first observed that increasing temperature from 33°C to 37°C or 39°C increased spike-mediated cell-cell fusion. We then experimentally evolved a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike at these different temperatures. We found that spike-mediated cell-cell fusion was maintained during evolution at 39°C but was lost in a high proportion of viruses that evolved at 33°C or 37°C. Consistently, sequencing of the spikes evolved at 33°C or 37°C revealed the accumulation of mutations around the furin cleavage site, a region that determines cell-cell fusion, whereas this did not occur in spikes evolved at 39°C. Finally, using site-directed mutagenesis, we found that disruption of the furin cleavage site had a temperature-dependent effect on spike-induced cell-cell fusion and viral fitness. Our results suggest that variations in body temperature may affect the activity and diversification of the SARS-CoV-2 spike. IMPORTANCE When it infects humans, SARS-CoV-2 is exposed to different temperatures (e.g., replication site and fever). Temperature has been shown to strongly impact SARS-CoV-2 replication, but how it affects the activity and evolution of the spike protein remains poorly understood. Here, we first show that high temperatures increase the SARS-CoV-2 spike fusogenicity. Then, we demonstrate that the evolution of the spike activity and variants depends on temperature. Finally, we show that the functional effect of specific spike mutations is temperature-dependent. Overall, our results suggest that temperature may be a factor influencing the activity and adaptation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike in vivo, which will help understanding viral tropism, pathogenesis, and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Dufloo
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat de València, Paterna, València, Spain
| | - Rafael Sanjuán
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat de València, Paterna, València, Spain
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Ko SH, Radecki P, Belinky F, Bhiman JN, Meiring S, Kleynhans J, Amoako D, Guerra Canedo V, Lucas M, Kekana D, Martinson N, Lebina L, Everatt J, Tempia S, Bylund T, Rawi R, Kwong PD, Wolter N, von Gottberg A, Cohen C, Boritz EA. Rapid Emergence and Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Advanced HIV Infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.05.574420. [PMID: 38313289 PMCID: PMC10836083 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.05.574420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies have linked the evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) genetic variants to persistent infections in people with immunocompromising conditions1-4, but the evolutionary processes underlying these observations are incompletely understood. Here we used high-throughput, single-genome amplification and sequencing (HT-SGS) to obtain up to ~103 SARS-CoV-2 spike gene sequences in each of 184 respiratory samples from 22 people with HIV (PWH) and 25 people without HIV (PWOH). Twelve of 22 PWH had advanced HIV infection, defined by peripheral blood CD4 T cell counts (i.e., CD4 counts) <200 cells/μL. In PWOH and PWH with CD4 counts ≥200 cells/μL, most single-genome spike sequences in each person matched one haplotype that predominated throughout the infection. By contrast, people with advanced HIV showed elevated intra-host spike diversity with a median of 46 haplotypes per person (IQR 14-114). Higher intra-host spike diversity immediately after COVID-19 symptom onset predicted longer SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding among PWH, and intra-host spike diversity at this timepoint was significantly higher in people with advanced HIV than in PWOH. Composition of spike sequence populations in people with advanced HIV fluctuated rapidly over time, with founder sequences often replaced by groups of new haplotypes. These population-level changes were associated with a high total burden of intra-host mutations and positive selection at functionally important residues. In several cases, delayed emergence of detectable serum binding to spike was associated with positive selection for presumptive antibody-escape mutations. Taken together, our findings show remarkable intra-host genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 in advanced HIV infection and suggest that adaptive intra-host SARS-CoV-2 evolution in this setting may contribute to the emergence of new variants of concern (VOCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Hee Ko
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Pierce Radecki
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Frida Belinky
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jinal N. Bhiman
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- SAMRC Antibody Immunity Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Susan Meiring
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jackie Kleynhans
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Daniel Amoako
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Integrative Biology and Bioinformatics, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vanessa Guerra Canedo
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Margaret Lucas
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Dikeledi Kekana
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Neil Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Johns Hopkins University, Center for TB Research, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Limakatso Lebina
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Josie Everatt
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Stefano Tempia
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Tatsiana Bylund
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Reda Rawi
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Peter D. Kwong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nicole Wolter
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Anne von Gottberg
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Cheryl Cohen
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Eli A. Boritz
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Cassari L, Pavan A, Zoia G, Chinellato M, Zeni E, Grinzato A, Rothenberger S, Cendron L, Dettin M, Pasquato A. SARS-CoV-2 S Mutations: A Lesson from the Viral World to Understand How Human Furin Works. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:4791. [PMID: 36902222 PMCID: PMC10003014 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054791] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent responsible for the worldwide pandemic and has now claimed millions of lives. The virus combines several unusual characteristics and an extraordinary ability to spread among humans. In particular, the dependence of the maturation of the envelope glycoprotein S from Furin enables the invasion and replication of the virus virtually within the entire body, since this cellular protease is ubiquitously expressed. Here, we analyzed the naturally occurring variation of the amino acids sequence around the cleavage site of S. We found that the virus grossly mutates preferentially at P positions, resulting in single residue replacements that associate with gain-of-function phenotypes in specific conditions. Interestingly, some combinations of amino acids are absent, despite the evidence supporting some cleavability of the respective synthetic surrogates. In any case, the polybasic signature is maintained and, as a consequence, Furin dependence is preserved. Thus, no escape variants to Furin are observed in the population. Overall, the SARS-CoV-2 system per se represents an outstanding example of the evolution of substrate-enzyme interaction, demonstrating a fast-tracked optimization of a protein stretch towards the Furin catalytic pocket. Ultimately, these data disclose important information for the development of drugs targeting Furin and Furin-dependent pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Cassari
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Angela Pavan
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Giulia Zoia
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Monica Chinellato
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Elena Zeni
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Grinzato
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 71, Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Sylvia Rothenberger
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 48, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection, Austrasse, 3700 Spiez, Switzerland
| | - Laura Cendron
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Monica Dettin
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Antonella Pasquato
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
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Szpulak A, Garlak U, Ćwirko H, Witkowska B, Rombel-Bryzek A, Witkowska D. SARS-CoV-2 and its impact on the cardiovascular and digestive systems - The interplay between new virus variants and human cells. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:1022-1029. [PMID: 36694807 PMCID: PMC9850860 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.01.024] [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: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Since infection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 first emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, the world has been battling the pandemic COVID-19. Patients of all ages and genders are now becoming infected with the new coronavirus variant (Omicron) worldwide, and its subvariants continue to pose a threat to health and life. This article provides a literature review of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal complications resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection. COVID-19 primarily caused respiratory symptoms, but complications can affect many vital organs. SARS-CoV-2 binds to a human cell receptor (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 - ACE2) that is predominantly expressed primarily in the heart and gastrointestinal tract, which is why we focused on complications in these organs. Since the high transmissibility of Omicron and its ability to evade the immune system have raised worldwide concern, we have tried to summarise the current knowledge about its development from a structural point of view and to highlight the differences in its binding to human receptors and proteases compared to previous VOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika Szpulak
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wybrzeże L. Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Urszula Garlak
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wybrzeże L. Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Hanna Ćwirko
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wybrzeże L. Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Bogusława Witkowska
- Institute of Health Sciences, University of Opole, Katowicka 68, 45-060 Opole, Poland
| | | | - Danuta Witkowska
- Institute of Health Sciences, University of Opole, Katowicka 68, 45-060 Opole, Poland
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Viral Population Heterogeneity and Fluctuating Mutational Pattern during a Persistent SARS-CoV-2 Infection in an Immunocompromised Patient. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020291. [PMID: 36851504 PMCID: PMC9962589 DOI: 10.3390/v15020291] [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: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Literature offers plenty of cases of immunocompromised patients, who develop chronic and severe SARS-CoV-2 infections. The aim of this study is to provide further insight into SARS-CoV-2 evolutionary dynamic taking into exam a subject suffering from follicular lymphoma, who developed a persistent infection for over 7 months. Eight nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained, and were analyses by qRT-PCR for diagnostic purposes. All of them were considered eligible (Ct < 30) for NGS sequencing. Sequence analysis showed that all sequences matched the B.1.617.2 AY.122 lineage, but they differed by few mutations identifying three genetically similar subpopulations, which evolved during the course of infection, demonstrating that prolonged replication is paralleled with intra-host virus evolution. These evidences support the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 adaptive capacities are able to shape a heterogeneous viral population in the context of immunocompromised patients. Spill-over of viral variants with enhanced transmissibility or immune escape capacities from these subjects is plausible.
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Host Cell Entry and Neutralization Sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 Lineages B.1.620 and R.1. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112475. [PMID: 36366573 PMCID: PMC9698971 DOI: 10.3390/v14112475] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The spike (S) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) facilitates viral entry into host cells and is the key target for neutralizing antibodies. The SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.620 carries fifteen mutations in the S protein and is spread in Africa, the US and Europe, while lineage R.1 harbors four mutations in S and infections were observed in several countries, particularly Japan and the US. However, the impact of the mutations in B.1.620 and R.1 S proteins on antibody-mediated neutralization and host cell entry are largely unknown. Here, we report that these mutations are compatible with robust ACE2 binding and entry into cell lines, and they markedly reduce neutralization by vaccine-induced antibodies. Our results reveal evasion of neutralizing antibodies by B.1.620 and R.1, which might have contributed to the spread of these lineages.
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