1
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Mondol SM, Hasib M, Limon MBH, Alam ASMRU. Insights into Omicron's Low Fusogenicity through In Silico Molecular Studies on Spike-Furin Interactions. Bioinform Biol Insights 2023; 17:11779322231189371. [PMID: 37529484 PMCID: PMC10387760 DOI: 10.1177/11779322231189371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant and its subvariants have a unique set of mutations. Two of those mutations (N679 K and P681 H) reside close to the S1 /S2 furin cleavage site (FCS; 685-686). When these mutations reside together, they exert less-efficient membrane fusion than wild type and most other variants of concern such as the Delta variant. Here, we in silico targeted these mutations to find out which of the amino acids and interactions change plays the key role in fusion. To comprehend the epistatic effect of N679 K and P681 H mutations on the spike protein, we in silico constructed three types of spike protein sequences by changing the respective amino acids on 679 and 681 positions (P681 H, N679 K, K679 N-H681 P variants). We then analyzed the binding affinity of furin and spike (Furin-Wild, Furin-Omicron, Furin-P681 H, Furin-N679 K, and Furin-K679 N/H681 P) complexes. Omicron and P681 H variants showed a similar higher binding energy trend compared to the wild type and N679 K. The variation in hydrogen, hydrophobic, and salt bridge bonds between spike protein and furin provided an explanation for the observed low fusogenicity of Omicron. The fate of the epistasis in furin binding and possible cleavage depends on the efficient interaction between FCS in spike and furin catalytic triad, and in addition, the loss of the hydrogen bond between Arg 681 (spike) and Asn 295 (furin) along with inhibitor-like ineffective higher affinity plays an important role in the enzymatic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Md Hasib
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Barishal, Barishal, Bangladesh
| | | | - A S M Rubayet Ul Alam
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
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2
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Zabiegala A, Kim Y, Chang KO. Roles of host proteases in the entry of SARS-CoV-2. ANIMAL DISEASES 2023; 3:12. [PMID: 37128508 PMCID: PMC10125864 DOI: 10.1186/s44149-023-00075-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The spike protein (S) of SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for viral attachment and entry, thus a major factor for host susceptibility, tissue tropism, virulence and pathogenicity. The S is divided with S1 and S2 region, and the S1 contains the receptor-binding domain (RBD), while the S2 contains the hydrophobic fusion domain for the entry into the host cell. Numerous host proteases have been implicated in the activation of SARS-CoV-2 S through various cleavage sites. In this article, we review host proteases including furin, trypsin, transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and cathepsins in the activation of SARS-CoV-2 S. Many betacoronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2 have polybasic residues at the S1/S2 site which is subjected to the cleavage by furin. The S1/S2 cleavage facilitates more assessable RBD to the receptor ACE2, and the binding triggers further conformational changes and exposure of the S2' site to proteases such as type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTPRs) including TMPRSS2. In the presence of TMPRSS2 on the target cells, SARS-CoV-2 can utilize a direct entry route by fusion of the viral envelope to the cellular membrane. In the absence of TMPRSS2, SARS-CoV-2 enter target cells via endosomes where multiple cathepsins cleave the S for the successful entry. Additional host proteases involved in the cleavage of the S were discussed. This article also includes roles of 3C-like protease inhibitors which have inhibitory activity against cathepsin L in the entry of SARS-CoV-2, and discussed the dual roles of such inhibitors in virus replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria Zabiegala
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506 USA
| | - Yunjeong Kim
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506 USA
| | - Kyeong-Ok Chang
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506 USA
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3
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Hao Y, Wang Y, Wang M, Zhou L, Shi J, Cao J, Wang D. The origins of COVID-19 pandemic: A brief overview. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:3181-3197. [PMID: 36218169 PMCID: PMC9874793 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak that emerged at the end of 2019 has now swept the world for more than 2 years, causing immeasurable damage to the lives and economies of the world. It has drawn so much attention to discovering how the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated and entered the human body. The current argument revolves around two contradictory theories: a scenario of laboratory spillover events and human contact with zoonotic diseases. Here, we reviewed the transmission, pathogenesis, possible hosts, as well as the genome and protein structure of SARS-CoV-2, which play key roles in the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe the coronavirus was originally transmitted to human by animals rather than by a laboratory leak. However, there still needs more investigations to determine the source of the pandemic. Understanding how COVID-19 emerged is vital to developing global strategies for mitigating future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying‐Jian Hao
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Yu‐Lan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Mei‐Yue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Lan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Jian‐Yun Shi
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Ji‐Min Cao
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - De‐Ping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
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4
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Sakamoto A, Osawa H, Hashimoto H, Mizuno T, Hasyim AA, Abe YI, Okahashi Y, Ogawa R, Iyori M, Shida H, Yoshida S. A replication-competent smallpox vaccine LC16m8Δ-based COVID-19 vaccine. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:2359-2370. [PMID: 36069348 PMCID: PMC9527789 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2122580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Viral vectors are a potent vaccine platform for inducing humoral and T-cell immune responses. Among the various viral vectors, replication-competent ones are less commonly used for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine development compared with replication-deficient ones. Here, we show the availability of a smallpox vaccine LC16m8Δ (m8Δ) as a replication-competent viral vector for a COVID-19 vaccine. M8Δ is a genetically stable variant of the licensed and highly effective Japanese smallpox vaccine LC16m8. Here, we generated two m8Δ recombinants: one harbouring a gene cassette encoding the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) glycoprotein, named m8Δ-SARS2(P7.5-S)-HA; and one encoding the S protein with a highly polybasic motif at the S1/S2 cleavage site, named m8Δ-SARS2(P7.5-SHN)-HA. M8Δ-SARS2(P7.5-S)-HA induced S-specific antibodies in mice that persisted for at least six weeks after a homologous boost immunization. All eight analysed serum samples displayed neutralizing activity against an S-pseudotyped virus at a level similar to that of serum samples from patients with COVID-19, and more than half (5/8) also had neutralizing activity against the Delta/B.1.617.2 variant of concern. Importantly, most serum samples also neutralized the infectious SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan and Delta/B.1.617.2 strains. In contrast, immunization with m8Δ-SARS2(P7.5-SHN)-HA elicited significantly lower antibody titres, and the induced antibodies had less neutralizing activity. Regarding T-cell immunity, both m8Δ recombinants elicited S-specific multifunctional CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell responses even after just a primary immunization. Thus, m8Δ provides an alternative method for developing a novel COVID-19 vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Sakamoto
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Osawa
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hinata Hashimoto
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Tetsushi Mizuno
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Ishikawa, Japan.,Department of Global Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Ammar A Hasyim
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yu-Ichi Abe
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yuto Okahashi
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Ryohei Ogawa
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Iyori
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hisatoshi Shida
- Division of Molecular Virology, Institute of Immunological Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shigeto Yoshida
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Ishikawa, Japan
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5
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Tyshkovskiy A, Panchin AY. There is still no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 laboratory origin: Response to Segreto and Deigin (10.1002/bies.202100137). Bioessays 2021; 43:e2100194. [PMID: 34697827 PMCID: PMC8646886 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The causative agent of COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 has led to over 4 million deaths worldwide. Understanding the origin of this coronavirus is important for the prevention of future outbreaks. The dominant point of view that the virus transferred to humans either directly from bats or through an intermediate mammalian host has been challenged by Segreto and Deigin, who claim that the genome of SARS-CoV-2 has certain features suggestive of its artificial creation. Following their response to our commentary, here we continue the discussion of the proposed arguments for this hypothesis. We show that neither the existence of a furin cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2, nor the presence of specific sequences within the nucleotide insertion encoding that site are evidence for intelligent design. We also explain why existing genetic data, viral diversity and past human history suggest that a natural origin of the virus is the most likely scenario. Genetic evidence suggesting otherwise is yet to be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Tyshkovskiy
- Belozersky Institute of Physico‐Chemical BiologyMoscow State UniversityMoscowRussia
- Division of GeneticsDepartment of MedicineBrigham and Women's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Alexander Y. Panchin
- Sector of molecular evolutionInstitute for Information Transmission ProblemsRussian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
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6
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Stout AE, Millet JK, Stanhope MJ, Whittaker GR. Furin cleavage sites in the spike proteins of bat and rodent coronaviruses: Implications for virus evolution and zoonotic transfer from rodent species. One Health 2021; 13:100282. [PMID: 34179330 PMCID: PMC8216856 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats and rodents comprise two of the world's largest orders of mammals and the order Chiroptera (bats) has been implicated as a major reservoir of coronaviruses in nature and a source of zoonotic transfer to humans. However, the order Rodentia (rodents) also harbors coronaviruses, with two human coronaviruses (HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-HKU1) considered to have rodent origins. The coronavirus spike protein mediates viral entry and is a major determinant of viral tropism; importantly, the spike protein is activated by host cell proteases at two distinct sites, designated as S1/S2 and S2’. SARS-CoV-2, which is considered to be of bat origin, contains a cleavage site for the protease furin at S1/S2, absent from the rest of the currently known betacoronavirus lineage 2b coronaviruses (Sarbecoviruses). This cleavage site is thought to be critical to its replication and pathogenesis, with a notable link to virus transmission. Here, we examine the spike protein across coronaviruses identified in both bat and rodent species and address the role of furin as an activating protease. Utilizing two publicly available furin prediction algorithms (ProP and PiTou) and based on spike sequences reported in GenBank, we show that the S1/S2 furin cleavage site is typically not present in bat virus spike proteins but is common in rodent-associated sequences, and suggest this may have implications for zoonotic transfer. We provide a phylogenetic history of the Embecoviruses (betacoronavirus lineage 2a), including context for the use of furin as an activating protease for the viral spike protein. From a One Health perspective, continued rodent surveillance should be an important consideration in uncovering novel circulating coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison E Stout
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Jean K Millet
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UVSQ, Virologie et Immunologie Moléculaires, 78352, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Michael J Stanhope
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Gary R Whittaker
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.,Master of Public Health Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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7
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Borocci S, Cerchia C, Grottesi A, Sanna N, Prandi IG, Abid N, Beccari AR, Chillemi G, Talarico C. Altered Local Interactions and Long-Range Communications in UK Variant (B.1.1.7) Spike Glycoprotein. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5464. [PMID: 34067272 PMCID: PMC8196891 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by SARS-CoV-2. Currently, most of the research efforts towards the development of vaccines and antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were mainly focused on the spike (S) protein, which mediates virus entry into the host cell by binding to ACE2. As the virus SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread globally, variants have emerged, characterized by multiple mutations of the S glycoprotein. Herein, we employed microsecond-long molecular dynamics simulations to study the impact of the mutations of the S glycoprotein in SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern 202012/01 (B.1.1.7), termed the "UK variant", in comparison with the wild type, with the aim to decipher the structural basis of the reported increased infectivity and virulence. The simulations provided insights on the different dynamics of UK and wild-type S glycoprotein, regarding in particular the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD). In addition, we investigated the role of glycans in modulating the conformational transitions of the RBD. The overall results showed that the UK mutant experiences higher flexibility in the RBD with respect to wild type; this behavior might be correlated with the increased transmission reported for this variant. Our work also adds useful structural information on antigenic "hotspots" and epitopes targeted by neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Borocci
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, DIBAF, University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.B.); (N.S.)
- Institute for Biological Systems, ISB, CNR, Via Salaria, Km 29.500, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy
| | - Carmen Cerchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | | | - Nico Sanna
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, DIBAF, University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.B.); (N.S.)
| | - Ingrid Guarnetti Prandi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 3, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Nabil Abid
- Laboratory of Transmissible Diseases and Biological Active Substances LR99ES27, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Rue Ibn Sina, Monastir 5000, Tunisia;
- High Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, Department of Biotechnology, University of Manouba, BP-66, Ariana-Tunis 2020, Tunisia
| | | | - Giovanni Chillemi
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, DIBAF, University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.B.); (N.S.)
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, IBIOM, CNR, Via Giovanni Amendola, 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Carmine Talarico
- Dompé Farmaceutici SpA, Via Campo di Pile, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
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8
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Hatmal MM, Alshaer W, Al-Hatamleh MAI, Hatmal M, Smadi O, Taha MO, Oweida AJ, Boer JC, Mohamud R, Plebanski M. Comprehensive Structural and Molecular Comparison of Spike Proteins of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, and Their Interactions with ACE2. Cells 2020; 9:E2638. [PMID: 33302501 PMCID: PMC7763676 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has recently emerged in China and caused a disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The virus quickly spread around the world, causing a sustained global outbreak. Although SARS-CoV-2, and other coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV) are highly similar genetically and at the protein production level, there are significant differences between them. Research has shown that the structural spike (S) protein plays an important role in the evolution and transmission of SARS-CoV-2. So far, studies have shown that various genes encoding primarily for elements of S protein undergo frequent mutation. We have performed an in-depth review of the literature covering the structural and mutational aspects of S protein in the context of SARS-CoV-2, and compared them with those of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Our analytical approach consisted in an initial genome and transcriptome analysis, followed by primary, secondary and tertiary protein structure analysis. Additionally, we investigated the potential effects of these differences on the S protein binding and interactions to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and we established, after extensive analysis of previous research articles, that SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV use different ends/regions in S protein receptor-binding motif (RBM) and different types of interactions for their chief binding with ACE2. These differences may have significant implications on pathogenesis, entry and ability to infect intermediate hosts for these coronaviruses. This review comprehensively addresses in detail the variations in S protein, its receptor-binding characteristics and detailed structural interactions, the process of cleavage involved in priming, as well as other differences between coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ma’mon M. Hatmal
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | - Walhan Alshaer
- Cell Therapy Center (CTC), The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Mohammad A. I. Al-Hatamleh
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan 16150, Malaysia; (M.A.I.A.-H.); (R.M.)
| | | | - Othman Smadi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan;
| | - Mutasem O. Taha
- Drug Design and Discovery Unit, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan;
| | - Ayman J. Oweida
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiobiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada;
| | - Jennifer C. Boer
- Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Unit, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora 3083, Australia; (J.C.B.); (M.P.)
| | - Rohimah Mohamud
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan 16150, Malaysia; (M.A.I.A.-H.); (R.M.)
- Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan 16150, Malaysia
| | - Magdalena Plebanski
- Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Unit, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora 3083, Australia; (J.C.B.); (M.P.)
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9
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Gioia M, Ciaccio C, Calligari P, De Simone G, Sbardella D, Tundo G, Fasciglione GF, Di Masi A, Di Pierro D, Bocedi A, Ascenzi P, Coletta M. Role of proteolytic enzymes in the COVID-19 infection and promising therapeutic approaches. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 182:114225. [PMID: 32956643 PMCID: PMC7501082 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the Fall of 2019 a sudden and dramatic outbreak of a pulmonary disease (Coronavirus Disease COVID-19), due to a new Coronavirus strain (i.e., SARS-CoV-2), emerged in the continental Chinese area of Wuhan and quickly diffused throughout the world, causing up to now several hundreds of thousand deaths. As for common viral infections, the crucial event for the viral life cycle is the entry of genetic material inside the host cell, realized by the spike protein of the virus through its binding to host receptors and its activation by host proteases; this is followed by translation of the viral RNA into a polyprotein, exploiting the host cell machinery. The production of individual mature viral proteins is pivotal for replication and release of new virions. Several proteolytic enzymes either of the host and of the virus act in a concerted fashion to regulate and coordinate specific steps of the viral replication and assembly, such as (i) the entry of the virus, (ii) the maturation of the polyprotein and (iii) the assembly of the secreted virions for further diffusion. Therefore, proteases involved in these three steps are important targets, envisaging that molecules which interfere with their activity are promising therapeutic compounds. In this review, we will survey what is known up to now on the role of specific proteolytic enzymes in these three steps and of most promising compounds designed to impair this vicious cycle.
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Key Words
- covid-19, coronavirus disease – 19
- sars-cov, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- sars-cov-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome – 2
- mers-cov, middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- orf, open reading frame
- plpro, papain-like protease
- mpro, main protease
- pp, polyprotein
- nsp, non structural protein
- rdrp, rna dependent rna polymerase
- hel, helicase
- s protein, spike protein
- tmprss2, trans-membrane protease serine protease-2
- tmprss4, trans-membrane protease serine protease-4
- hat, human airway trypsin-like protease
- tgn, trans-golgi network
- ace2, angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor-2
- rbd, receptor binding domain
- pc, pro-protein convertase
- hcov-oc43, human coronavirus-oc43
- mhv-a59, murine hepatitis virus – a59
- hiv, human immunodeficiency virus
- cmk, chloro-methyl-ketone
- dec, decanoyl
- phac, phenyl-acetyl
- ttsp, type ii transmembrane serine proteases family
- hpv, human papillomavirus
- hbv, hepatitis b virus
- evd, ebola virus disease
- zikv, zika virus
- jev, japanese encephalitis virus
- fpv, feline panleukopenia virus
- hpaiv, highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
- cdv, canine distemper virus
- rsv, respiratory syncytial virus (rsv)
- a1at, alpha-1-anti trypsin
- aebsf, 4-(2-aminomethyl)-benzene sulphonyl fluoride
- bhh, bromhexine hydrochloride
- pcsk, pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin
- ampk, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase
- hcov-nl63, human coronavirus – nl63
- hcov-229e, human coronavirus – 229e
- hcov-hku1, human coronavirus – hku1
- 3cpro, 3chymotrypsin protease of rhinoviruses
- 3d-qsar, three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships
- fda, food and drug agency
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda Gioia
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy.
| | - Chiara Ciaccio
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy.
| | - Paolo Calligari
- Department of Chemical and Technological Sciences, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Donato Di Pierro
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessio Bocedi
- Department of Chemical and Technological Sciences, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
| | - Paolo Ascenzi
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Roma, Italy,Interdepartmental Laboratory for Electron Microscopy, Roma Tre University, Roma, Italy
| | - Massimo Coletta
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy.
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10
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Sanachai K, Mahalapbutr P, Choowongkomon K, Poo-arporn RP, Wolschann P, Rungrotmongkol T. Insights into the Binding Recognition and Susceptibility of Tofacitinib toward Janus Kinases. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:369-377. [PMID: 31956784 PMCID: PMC6964278 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b02800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Janus kinases (JAKs) are enzymes involved in signaling pathways that affect hematopoiesis and immune cell functions. JAK1, JAK2, and JAK3 play different roles in numerous diseases of the immune system and have also been considered as potential targets for cancer therapy. In the present study, the susceptibility of the oral JAK inhibitor tofacitinib against these three JAKs was elucidated using the 500-ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and free energy calculations based on MM-PB(GB)SA, QM/MM-GBSA (PM3 and SCC-DFTB), and SIE methods. The obtained results revealed that tofacitinib could interact with all JAKs at the ATP-binding site via electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bond formation, and in particular van der Waals interaction. The conserved glutamate and leucine residues (E957 and L959 of JAK1, E930 and L932 of JAK2, and E903 and L905 of JAK3) located in the hinge region stabilized tofacitinib binding through strongly formed hydrogen bonds. Complexation with the incoming tofacitinib led to a closed conformation of the ATP-binding site and a decreased protein fluctuation at the glycine loop of the JAK protein. The binding affinities of tofacitinib/JAKs were ranked in the order of JAK3 > JAK2 ∼ JAK1, which are in line with the reported experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamonpan Sanachai
- Structural
and Computational Biology Research Unit, Department of
Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Program in Bioinformatics and Computational
Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn
University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Panupong Mahalapbutr
- Structural
and Computational Biology Research Unit, Department of
Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Program in Bioinformatics and Computational
Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn
University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Kiattawee Choowongkomon
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart
University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Rungtiva P. Poo-arporn
- Biological
Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok 10140, Thailand
| | - Peter Wolschann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry,
Faculty of Life Sciences and Institute of Theoretical
Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Thanyada Rungrotmongkol
- Structural
and Computational Biology Research Unit, Department of
Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Program in Bioinformatics and Computational
Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn
University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- E-mail: , . Tel: +66 2 2185426. Fax: +66 22185418
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11
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Evolution of high pathogenicity of H5 avian influenza virus: haemagglutinin cleavage site selection of reverse-genetics mutants during passage in chickens. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11518. [PMID: 30068964 PMCID: PMC6070550 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29944-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (LPAIVs) are generally asymptomatic in their natural avian hosts. LPAIVs can evolve into highly pathogenic forms, which can affect avian and human populations with devastating consequences. The switch to highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) from LPAIV precursors requires the acquisition of multiple basic amino acids in the haemagglutinin cleavage site (HACS) motif. Through reverse genetics of an H5N1 HPAIV, and experimental infection of chickens, we determined that viruses containing five or more basic amino acids in the HACS motif were preferentially selected over those with three to four basic amino acids, leading to rapid replacement with virus types containing extended HACS motifs. Conversely, viruses harbouring low pathogenicity motifs containing two basic amino acids did not readily evolve to extended forms, suggesting that a single insertion of a basic amino acid into the cleavage site motif of low-pathogenic viruses may lead to escalating selection for extended motifs. Our results may explain why mid-length forms are rarely detected in nature. The stability of the short motif suggests that pathogenicity switching may require specific conditions of intense selection pressure (such as with high host density) to boost selection of the initial mid-length HACS forms.
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Meeprasert A, Hannongbua S, Kungwan N, Rungrotmongkol T. Effect of D168V mutation in NS3/4A HCV protease on susceptibilities of faldaprevir and danoprevir. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2017; 12:3666-3673. [PMID: 27731877 DOI: 10.1039/c6mb00610h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a serious cause of liver inflammation, cirrhosis and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Its NS3/4A serine protease functions to cleave a specific peptide bond, which is an important step in HCV replication. Thus the NS3/4A protease has become one of the main drug-targets in the design and development of anti-HCV agents. Unfortunately, high mutation rates in HCV have been reported due to the lack of RNA proofreading activity resulting in drug resistance. Herein, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations were employed to understand and illustrate the effects of the NS3/4A D168V mutation on faldaprevir (FDV) and danoprevir (DNV) binding efficiency. The D168V mutation was shown to interrupt the hydrogen bonding network of Q80R155D168R123 embedded in the extended S2 and partial S4 subsites of the NS3 protein and as a result the R123 side chain was displaced and moved out from the binding pocket. By means of MM/PBSA and MM/GBSA binding free energy calculations, the FDV and DNV binding affinities were shown to be significantly reduced by ∼10-15 kcal mol-1 and ∼4-9 kcal mol-1 relative to the wild-type complexes, respectively, which somewhat agrees with the experimental resistance folds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthitaya Meeprasert
- Structural and Computational Biology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science Chulalongkorn University, 254, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Supot Hannongbua
- Computational Chemistry Unit Cell, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Nawee Kungwan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Thanyada Rungrotmongkol
- Structural and Computational Biology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science Chulalongkorn University, 254, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand and PhD Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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13
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Straus MR, Whittaker GR. A peptide-based approach to evaluate the adaptability of influenza A virus to humans based on its hemagglutinin proteolytic cleavage site. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174827. [PMID: 28358853 PMCID: PMC5373629 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cleavage activation of the hemagglutinin (HA) protein by host proteases is a crucial step in the infection process of influenza A viruses (IAV). However, IAV exists in eighteen different HA subtypes in nature and their cleavage sites vary considerably. There is uncertainty regarding which specific proteases activate a given HA in the human respiratory tract. Understanding the relationship between different HA subtypes and human-specific proteases will be valuable in assessing the pandemic potential of circulating viruses. Here we utilized fluorogenic peptides mimicking the HA cleavage motif of representative IAV strains causing disease in humans or of zoonotic/pandemic potential and tested them with a range of proteases known to be present in the human respiratory tract. Our results show that peptides from the H1, H2 and H3 subtypes are cleaved efficiently by a wide range of proteases including trypsin, matriptase, human airway tryptase (HAT), kallikrein-related peptidases 5 (KLK5) and 12 (KLK12) and plasmin. Regarding IAVs currently of concern for human adaptation, cleavage site peptides from H10 viruses showed very limited cleavage by respiratory tract proteases. Peptide mimics from H6 viruses showed broader cleavage by respiratory tract proteases, while H5, H7 and H9 subtypes showed variable cleavage; particularly matriptase appeared to be a key protease capable of activating IAVs. We also tested HA substrate specificity of Factor Xa, a protease required for HA cleavage in chicken embryos and relevant for influenza virus production in eggs. Overall our data provide novel tool allowing the assessment of human adaptation of IAV HA subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco R. Straus
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- New York Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Gary R. Whittaker
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- New York Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
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14
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Nutho B, Nunthaboot N, Wolschann P, Kungwan N, Rungrotmongkol T. Metadynamics supports molecular dynamics simulation-based binding affinities of eucalyptol and beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra09387j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of various molecular dynamics methods enables the detailed investigation of association processes, like host–guest complexes, including their dynamics and, additionally, the release of the guest compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bodee Nutho
- Program in Biotechnology
- Faculty of Science
- Chulalongkorn University
- Bangkok 10330
- Thailand
| | - Nadtanet Nunthaboot
- Department of Chemistry
- Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry
- Faculty of Science
- Mahasarakham University
- Mahasarakham 44150
| | - Peter Wolschann
- Structural and Computational Biology Research Group
- Department of Biochemistry
- Faculty of Science
- Chulalongkorn University
- Bangkok 10330
| | - Nawee Kungwan
- Department of Chemistry
- Faculty of Science
- Chiang Mai University
- Chiang Mai 50200
- Thailand
| | - Thanyada Rungrotmongkol
- Structural and Computational Biology Research Group
- Department of Biochemistry
- Faculty of Science
- Chulalongkorn University
- Bangkok 10330
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15
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Phanich J, Rungrotmongkol T, Kungwan N, Hannongbua S. Role of R292K mutation in influenza H7N9 neuraminidase toward oseltamivir susceptibility: MD and MM/PB(GB)SA study. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2016; 30:917-926. [PMID: 27714494 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-016-9981-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The H7N9 avian influenza virus is a novel re-assortment from at least four different strains of virus. Neuraminidase, which is a glycoprotein on the surface membrane, has been the target for drug treatment. However, some H7N9 strains that have been isolated from patient after drug treatment have a R292K mutation in neuraminidase. This substitution was found to facilitate drug resistance using protein- and virus- assays, in particular it gave a high resistance to the most commonly used drug, oseltamivir. The aim of this research is to understand the source of oseltamivir resistance using MD simulations and the MM/PB(GB)SA binding free energy approaches. Both methods can predict the reduced susceptibility of oseltamivir in good agreement to the IC 50 binding energy, although MM/GBSA underestimates this prediction compared to the MM/PBSA calculation. Electrostatic interaction is the main contribution for oseltamivir binding in terms of both interaction and solvation. We found that the source of the drug resistance is a decrease in the binding interaction combined with the reduction of the dehydration penalty. The smaller K292 mutated residue has a larger binding pocket cavity compared to the wild-type resulting in the loss of drug carboxylate-K292 hydrogen bonding and an increased accessibility for water molecules around the K292 mutated residue. In addition, oseltamivir does not bind well to the R292K mutant complex as shown by the high degree of fluctuation in ligand RMSD during the simulation and the change in angular distribution of bulky side chain groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiraphorn Phanich
- Computational Chemistry Unit Cell, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Thanyada Rungrotmongkol
- Structural and Computational Biology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
- Ph.D. Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
| | - Nawee Kungwan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Supot Hannongbua
- Computational Chemistry Unit Cell, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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16
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Luczo JM, Stambas J, Durr PA, Michalski WP, Bingham J. Molecular pathogenesis of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza: the role of the haemagglutinin cleavage site motif. Rev Med Virol 2015; 25:406-30. [PMID: 26467906 PMCID: PMC5057330 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.1846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Revised: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza has caused a heavy socio‐economic burden through culling of poultry to minimise human and livestock infection. Although human infections with H5N1 have to date been limited, concerns for the pandemic potential of this zoonotic virus have been greatly intensified following experimental evidence of aerosol transmission of H5N1 viruses in a mammalian infection model. In this review, we discuss the dominance of the haemagglutinin cleavage site motif as a pathogenicity determinant, the host‐pathogen molecular interactions driving cleavage activation, reverse genetics manipulations and identification of residues key to haemagglutinin cleavage site functionality and the mechanisms of cell and tissue damage during H5N1 infection. We specifically focus on the disease in chickens, as it is in this species that high pathogenicity frequently evolves and from which transmission to the human population occurs. With >75% of emerging infectious diseases being of zoonotic origin, it is necessary to understand pathogenesis in the primary host to explain spillover events into the human population. © 2015 The Authors. Reviews in Medical Virology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmina M Luczo
- Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Geelong, Victoria, Australia.,School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Stambas
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter A Durr
- Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wojtek P Michalski
- Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Bingham
- Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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17
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Molecular Dynamics Simulation Reveals the Selective Binding of Human Leukocyte Antigen Alleles Associated with Behçet's Disease. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135575. [PMID: 26331842 PMCID: PMC4557978 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Behçet’s disease (BD), a multi-organ inflammatory disorder, is associated with the presence of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) HLA-B*51 allele in many ethnic groups. The possible antigen involvement of the major histocompatibility complex class I chain related gene A transmembrane (MICA-TM) nonapeptide (AAAAAIFVI) has been reported in BD symptomatic patients. This peptide has also been detected in HLA-A*26:01 positive patients. To investigate the link of BD with these two specific HLA alleles, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were applied on the MICA-TM nonapeptide binding to the two BD-associated HLA alleles in comparison with the two non-BD-associated HLA alleles (B*35:01 and A*11:01). The MD simulations were applied on the four HLA/MICA-TM peptide complexes in aqueous solution. As a result, stabilization for the incoming MICA-TM was found to be predominantly contributed from van der Waals interactions. The P2/P3 residue close to the N-terminal and the P9 residue at the C-terminal of the MICA-TM nonapeptide served as the anchor for the peptide accommodated at the binding groove of the BD associated HLAs. The MM/PBSA free energy calculation predicted a stronger binding of the HLA/peptide complexes for the BD-associated HLA alleles than for the non-BD-associated ones, with a ranked binding strength of B*51:01 > B*35:01 and A*26:01 > A*11:01. Thus, the HLAs associated with BD pathogenesis expose the binding efficiency with the MICA-TM nonapeptide tighter than the non-associated HLA alleles. In addition, the residues 70, 73, 99, 146, 147 and 159 of the two BD-associated HLAs provided the conserved interaction for the MICA-TM peptide binding.
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18
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Nutho B, Khuntawee W, Rungnim C, Pongsawasdi P, Wolschann P, Karpfen A, Kungwan N, Rungrotmongkol T. Binding mode and free energy prediction of fisetin/β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes. Beilstein J Org Chem 2014; 10:2789-99. [PMID: 25550745 PMCID: PMC4273227 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.10.296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, our aim is to investigate the preferential binding mode and encapsulation of the flavonoid fisetin in the nano-pore of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) at the molecular level using various theoretical approaches: molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and binding free energy calculations. The molecular docking suggested four possible fisetin orientations in the cavity through its chromone or phenyl ring with two different geometries of fisetin due to the rotatable bond between the two rings. From the multiple MD results, the phenyl ring of fisetin favours its inclusion into the β-CD cavity, whilst less binding or even unbinding preference was observed in the complexes where the larger chromone ring is located in the cavity. All MM- and QM-PBSA/GBSA free energy predictions supported the more stable fisetin/β-CD complex of the bound phenyl ring. Van der Waals interaction is the key force in forming the complexes. In addition, the quantum mechanics calculations with M06-2X/6-31G(d,p) clearly showed that both solvation effect and BSSE correction cannot be neglected for the energy determination of the chosen system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bodee Nutho
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Wasinee Khuntawee
- Nanoscience and Technology Program, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Chompoonut Rungnim
- National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 111 Thailand Science Park, Thanon Phahonyothin Tambon Khlong Nueng, Amphoe Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Piamsook Pongsawasdi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Peter Wolschann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria ; Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Alfred Karpfen
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Nawee Kungwan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Thanyada Rungrotmongkol
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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19
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Gagnon H, Beauchemin S, Kwiatkowska A, Couture F, D'Anjou F, Levesque C, Dufour F, Desbiens AR, Vaillancourt R, Bernard S, Desjardins R, Malouin F, Dory YL, Day R. Optimization of furin inhibitors to protect against the activation of influenza hemagglutinin H5 and Shiga toxin. J Med Chem 2013; 57:29-41. [PMID: 24359257 DOI: 10.1021/jm400633d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PCs) are crucial in the processing and entry of viral or bacterial protein precursors and confer increased infectivity of pathogens bearing a PC activation site, which results in increased symptom severity and lethality. Previously, we developed a nanomolar peptide inhibitor of PCs to prevent PC activation of infectious agents. Herein, we describe a peptidomimetic approach that increases the stability of this inhibitor for use in vivo to prevent systemic infections and cellular damage, such as that caused by influenza H5N1 and Shiga toxin. The addition of azaβ(3)-amino acids to both termini of the peptide successfully prevented influenza hemagglutinin 5 fusogenicity and Shiga toxin Vero toxicity in cell-based assays. The results from a cell-based model using stable shRNA-induced proprotein convertase knockdown indicate that only furin is the major proprotein convertase required for HA5 cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Gagnon
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke (IPS) and Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé (FMSS), Université de Sherbrooke , 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
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20
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Pasquato A, Ramos da Palma J, Galan C, Seidah NG, Kunz S. Viral envelope glycoprotein processing by proprotein convertases. Antiviral Res 2013; 99:49-60. [PMID: 23611717 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2013.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2013] [Revised: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The proprotein convertases (PCs) are a family of nine mammalian enzymes that play key roles in the maintenance of cell homeostasis by activating or inactivating proteins via limited proteolysis under temporal and spatial control. A wide range of pathogens, including major human pathogenic viruses can hijack cellular PCs for their own purposes. In particular, productive infection with many enveloped viruses critically depends on the processing of their fusion-active viral envelope glycoproteins by cellular PCs. Based on their crucial role in virus-host interaction, PCs can be important determinants for viral pathogenesis and represent promising targets of therapeutic antiviral intervention. In the present review we will cover basic aspects and recent developments of PC-mediated maturation of viral envelope glycoproteins of selected medically important viruses. The molecular mechanisms underlying the recognition of PCs by viral glycoproteins will be described, including recent findings demonstrating differential PC-recognition of viral and cellular substrates. We will further discuss a possible scenario how viruses during co-evolution with their hosts adapted their glycoproteins to modulate the activity of cellular PCs for their own benefit and discuss the consequences for virus-host interaction and pathogenesis. Particular attention will be given to past and current efforts to evaluate cellular PCs as targets for antiviral therapeutic intervention, with emphasis on emerging highly pathogenic viruses for which no efficacious drugs or vaccines are currently available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Pasquato
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne CH-1011, Switzerland.
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21
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Kongsune P, Rungrotmongkol T, Nunthaboot N, Yotmanee P, Sompornpisut P, Poovorawan Y, Wolschann P, Hannongbua S. Molecular insights into the binding affinity and specificity of the hemagglutinin cleavage loop from four highly pathogenic H5N1 isolates towards the proprotein convertase furin. MONATSHEFTE FUR CHEMIE 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s00706-011-0690-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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22
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Khuntawee W, Rungrotmongkol T, Hannongbua S. Molecular Dynamic Behavior and Binding Affinity of Flavonoid Analogues to the Cyclin Dependent Kinase 6/cyclin D Complex. J Chem Inf Model 2011; 52:76-83. [DOI: 10.1021/ci200304v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wasinee Khuntawee
- Computational Chemistry Unit Cell, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Thanyada Rungrotmongkol
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Supot Hannongbua
- Computational Chemistry Unit Cell, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Petroleum, Petrochemicals and Advanced Materials, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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23
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W Artenstein
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Pathogens, Department of Medicine, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket 02860, USA.
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24
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Lugsanangarm K, Pianwanit S, Kokpol S, Tanaka F. Homology modelling and molecular dynamics simulations of wild type and mutated flavodoxins fromDesulfovibrio vulgaris(Miyazaki F): insight into FMN–apoprotein interactions. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2011. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2011.586348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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25
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Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells support productive replication of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses: possible involvement in the pathogenesis of human H5N1 virus infection. J Virol 2011; 86:667-78. [PMID: 22072765 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.06348-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses continue to cause sporadic human infections with a high fatality rate. Respiratory failure due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a complication among hospitalized patients. Since progressive pulmonary endothelial damage is the hallmark of ARDS, we investigated host responses following HPAI virus infection of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. Evaluation of these cells for the presence of receptors preferred by influenza virus demonstrated that avian-like (α2-3-linked) receptors were more abundant than human-like (α2-6-linked) receptors. To test the permissiveness of pulmonary endothelial cells to virus infection, we compared the replication of selected seasonal, pandemic (2009 H1N1 and 1918), and potentially pandemic (H5N1) influenza virus strains. We observed that these cells support productive replication only of HPAI H5N1 viruses, which preferentially enter through and are released from the apical surface of polarized human endothelial monolayers. Furthermore, A/Thailand/16/2004 and A/Vietnam/1203/2004 (VN/1203) H5N1 viruses, which exhibit heightened virulence in mammalian models, replicated to higher titers than less virulent H5N1 strains. VN/1203 infection caused a significant decrease in endothelial cell proliferation compared to other subtype viruses. VN/1203 virus was also found to be a potent inducer of cytokines and adhesion molecules known to regulate inflammation during acute lung injury. Deletion of the H5 hemagglutinin (HA) multibasic cleavage site did not affect virus infectivity but resulted in decreased virus replication in endothelial cells. Our results highlight remarkable tropism and infectivity of the H5N1 viruses for human pulmonary endothelial cells, resulting in the potent induction of host inflammatory responses.
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Soda K, Asakura S, Okamatsu M, Sakoda Y, Kida H. H9N2 influenza virus acquires intravenous pathogenicity on the introduction of a pair of di-basic amino acid residues at the cleavage site of the hemagglutinin and consecutive passages in chickens. Virol J 2011; 8:64. [PMID: 21310053 PMCID: PMC3048564 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-8-64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2010] [Accepted: 02/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Outbreaks of avian influenza (AI) caused by infection with low pathogenic H9N2 viruses have occurred in poultry, resulting in serious economic losses in Asia and the Middle East. It has been difficult to eradicate the H9N2 virus because of its low pathogenicity, frequently causing in apparent infection. It is important for the control of AI to assess whether the H9N2 virus acquires pathogenicity as H5 and H7 viruses. In the present study, we investigated whether a non-pathogenic H9N2 virus, A/chicken/Yokohama/aq-55/2001 (Y55) (H9N2), acquires pathogenicity in chickens when a pair of di-basic amino acid residues is introduced at the cleavage site of its HA molecule. Results rgY55sub (H9N2), which had four basic amino acid residues at the HA cleavage site, replicated in MDCK cells in the absence of trypsin after six consecutive passages in the air sacs of chicks, and acquired intravenous pathogenicity to chicken after four additional passages. More than 75% of chickens inoculated intravenously with the passaged virus, rgY55sub-P10 (H9N2), died, indicating that it is pathogenic comparable to that of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) defined by World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The chickens inoculated with the virus via the intranasal route, however, survived without showing any clinical signs. On the other hand, an avirulent H5N1 strain, A/duck/Hokkaido/Vac-1/2004 (Vac1) (H5N1), acquired intranasal pathogenicity after a pair of di-basic amino acid residues was introduced into the cleavage site of the HA, followed by two passages by air sac inoculation in chicks. Conclusion The present results demonstrate that an H9N2 virus has the potential to acquire intravenous pathogenicity in chickens although the morbidity via the nasal route of infection is lower than that of H5N1 HPAIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Soda
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
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Remacle AG, Gawlik K, Golubkov VS, Cadwell GW, Liddington RC, Cieplak P, Millis SZ, Desjardins R, Routhier S, Yuan XW, Neugebauer WA, Day R, Strongin AY. Selective and potent furin inhibitors protect cells from anthrax without significant toxicity. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2010; 42:987-95. [PMID: 20197107 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2010.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2010] [Accepted: 02/22/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Furin and related proprotein convertases cleave the multibasic motifs R-X-R/K/X-R in the precursor proteins and, as a result, transform the latent proproteins into biologically active proteins and peptides. Furin is present both in the intracellular secretory pathway and at the cell surface. Intracellular furin processes its multiple normal cellular targets in the Golgi and secretory vesicle compartments while cell-surface furin appears to be essential only for the processing of certain pathogenic proteins and, importantly, anthrax. To design potent, safe and selective inhibitors of furin, we evaluated the potency and selectivity of the derivatized peptidic inhibitors modeled from the extended furin cleavage sequence of avian influenza A H5N1. We determined that the N- and C-terminal modifications of the original RARRRKKRT inhibitory scaffold produced selective and potent, nanomolar range, inhibitors of furin. These inhibitors did not interfere with the normal cellular function of furin because of the likely functional redundancy existing between furin and other proprotein convertases. These furin inhibitors, however, were highly potent in blocking the furin-dependent cell-surface processing of anthrax protective antigen-83 both in vitro and cell-based assays and in vivo. We conclude that the inhibitors we have designed have a promising potential as selective anthrax inhibitors, without affecting major cell functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert G Remacle
- Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
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Rungrotmongkol T, Decha P, Sompornpisut P, Malaisree M, Intharathep P, Nunthaboot N, Udommaneethanakit T, Aruksakunwong O, Hannongbua S. Combined QM/MM mechanistic study of the acylation process in furin complexed with the H5N1 avian influenza virus hemagglutinin's cleavage site. Proteins 2009; 76:62-71. [PMID: 19089976 DOI: 10.1002/prot.22318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Combined quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) techniques have been applied to investigate the detailed reaction mechanism of the first step of the acylation process by furin in which the cleavage site of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 (HPH5) acts as its substrate. The energy profile shows a simultaneous mechanism, known as a concerted reaction, of the two subprocesses: the proton transfer from Ser368 to His194 and the nucleophilic attack on the carbonyl carbon of the scissile peptide of the HPH5 cleavage site with a formation of tetrahedral intermediate (INT). The calculated energy barrier for this reaction is 16.2 kcal.mol(-1) at QM/MM B3LYP/6-31+G*//PM3-CHARMM22 level of theory. Once the reaction proceeds, the ordering of the electrostatic stabilization by protein environment is of the enzyme-substrate < transition state < INT complexes. Asp153 was found to play the most important role in the enzymatic reaction by providing the highest degree of intermediate complex stabilization. In addition, the negatively charged carbonyl oxygen of INT is well stabilized by the oxyanion hole constructed by Asn295's carboxamide and Ser368's backbone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanyada Rungrotmongkol
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Remacle AG, Shiryaev SA, Oh ES, Cieplak P, Srinivasan A, Wei G, Liddington RC, Ratnikov BI, Parent A, Desjardins R, Day R, Smith JW, Lebl M, Strongin AY. Substrate cleavage analysis of furin and related proprotein convertases. A comparative study. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:20897-906. [PMID: 18505722 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m803762200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
We present the data and the technology, a combination of which allows us to determine the identity of proprotein convertases (PCs) related to the processing of specific protein targets including viral and bacterial pathogens. Our results, which support and extend the data of other laboratories, are required for the design of effective inhibitors of PCs because, in general, an inhibitor design starts with a specific substrate. Seven proteinases of the human PC family cleave the multibasic motifs R-X-(R/K/X)-R downward arrow and, as a result, transform proproteins, including those from pathogens, into biologically active proteins and peptides. The precise cleavage preferences of PCs have not been known in sufficient detail; hence we were unable to determine the relative importance of the individual PCs in infectious diseases, thus making the design of specific inhibitors exceedingly difficult. To determine the cleavage preferences of PCs in more detail, we evaluated the relative efficiency of furin, PC2, PC4, PC5/6, PC7, and PACE4 in cleaving over 100 decapeptide sequences representing the R-X-(R/K/X)-R downward arrow motifs of human, bacterial, and viral proteins. Our computer analysis of the data and the follow-on cleavage analysis of the selected full-length proteins corroborated our initial results thus allowing us to determine the cleavage preferences of the PCs and to suggest which PCs are promising drug targets in infectious diseases. Our results also suggest that pathogens, including anthrax PA83 and the avian influenza A H5N1 (bird flu) hemagglutinin precursor, evolved to be as sensitive to PC proteolysis as the most sensitive normal human proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert G Remacle
- Burnham Institute for Medical Research, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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