1
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Ozden B, Şamiloğlu E, Özsan A, Erguven M, Yükrük C, Koşaca M, Oktayoğlu M, Menteş M, Arslan N, Karakülah G, Barlas AB, Savaş B, Karaca E. Benchmarking the accuracy of structure-based binding affinity predictors on Spike-ACE2 deep mutational interaction set. Proteins 2024; 92:529-539. [PMID: 37991066 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26645] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, a huge effort has been devoted to understanding the Spike (SARS-CoV-2)-ACE2 recognition mechanism. To this end, two deep mutational scanning studies traced the impact of all possible mutations across receptor binding domain (RBD) of Spike and catalytic domain of human ACE2. By concentrating on the interface mutations of these experimental data, we benchmarked six commonly used structure-based binding affinity predictors (FoldX, EvoEF1, MutaBind2, SSIPe, HADDOCK, and UEP). These predictors were selected based on their user-friendliness, accessibility, and speed. As a result of our benchmarking efforts, we observed that none of the methods could generate a meaningful correlation with the experimental binding data. The best correlation is achieved by FoldX (R = -0.51). When we simplified the prediction problem to a binary classification, that is, whether a mutation is enriching or depleting the binding, we showed that the highest accuracy is achieved by FoldX with a 64% success rate. Surprisingly, on this set, simple energetic scoring functions performed significantly better than the ones using extra evolutionary-based terms, as in Mutabind and SSIPe. Furthermore, we demonstrated that recent AI approaches, mmCSM-PPI and TopNetTree, yielded comparable performances to the force field-based techniques. These observations suggest plenty of room to improve the binding affinity predictors in guessing the variant-induced binding profile changes of a host-pathogen system, such as Spike-ACE2. To aid such improvements we provide our benchmarking data at https://github.com/CSB-KaracaLab/RBD-ACE2-MutBench with the option to visualize our mutant models at https://rbd-ace2-mutbench.github.io/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burcu Ozden
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Eda Şamiloğlu
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Atakan Özsan
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Erguven
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Can Yükrük
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mehdi Koşaca
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Melis Oktayoğlu
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Muratcan Menteş
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Nazmiye Arslan
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gökhan Karakülah
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Berçin Barlas
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Büşra Savaş
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Karaca
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey
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2
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Maity S, Acharya A. Many Roles of Carbohydrates: A Computational Spotlight on the Coronavirus S Protein Binding. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:646-656. [PMID: 36947738 PMCID: PMC10880061 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c01064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Glycosylation is one of the post-translational modifications with more than 50% of human proteins being glycosylated. The exact nature and chemical composition of glycans are inaccessible to X-ray or cryo-electron microscopy imaging techniques. Therefore, computational modeling studies and molecular dynamics must be used as a "computational microscope". The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 is heavily glycosylated, and a few glycans play a more functional role "beyond shielding". In this mini-review, we discuss computational investigations of the roles of specific S-protein and ACE2 glycans in the overall ACE2-S protein binding. We highlight different functions of specific glycans demonstrated in myriad computational models and simulations in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 virus binding to the receptor. We also discuss interactions between glycocalyx and the S protein, which may be utilized to design prophylactic polysaccharide-based therapeutics targeting the S protein. In addition, we underline the recent emergence of coronavirus variants and their impact on the S protein and its glycans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Maity
- Department
of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Atanu Acharya
- Department
of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- BioInspired
Syracuse, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
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3
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Gressett TE, Hossen ML, Talkington G, Volic M, Perez H, Tiwari PB, Chapagain P, Bix G. Molecular interactions between perlecan LG3 and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4843. [PMID: 37996967 PMCID: PMC10731540 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4843] [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: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global health crisis with significant clinical morbidity and mortality. While angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the primary receptor for viral entry, other cell surface and extracellular matrix proteins may also bind to the viral receptor binding domain (RBD) within the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Recent studies have implicated heparan sulfate proteoglycans, specifically perlecan LG3, in facilitating SARS-CoV-2 binding to ACE2. However, the role of perlecan LG3 in SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the binding interactions between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein RBD and perlecan LG3 through molecular modeling simulations and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments. Our results indicate stable binding between LG3 and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein RBD, which may potentially enhance RBD-ACE2 interactions. These findings shed light on the role of perlecan LG3 in SARS-CoV-2 infection and provide insight into SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology and potential therapeutic strategy for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy E. Gressett
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Research CenterTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
- Tulane Brain InstituteTulane UniversityNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Md Lokman Hossen
- Department of PhysicsFlorida International UniversityMiamiFloridaUSA
- Department of PhysicsUniversity of BarishalKornokathiBangladesh
| | - Grant Talkington
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Research CenterTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
- Tulane Brain InstituteTulane UniversityNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Milla Volic
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Research CenterTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Hugo Perez
- Department of PhysicsFlorida International UniversityMiamiFloridaUSA
| | | | - Prem Chapagain
- Department of PhysicsFlorida International UniversityMiamiFloridaUSA
- Biomolecular Sciences InstituteFlorida International UniversityMiamiFloridaUSA
| | - Gregory Bix
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Research CenterTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
- Tulane Brain InstituteTulane UniversityNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
- Department of NeurologyTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
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4
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Hsiao YW, Bray DJ, Taddese T, Jiménez-Serratos G, Crain J. Structure adaptation in Omicron SARS-CoV-2/hACE2: Biophysical origins of evolutionary driving forces. Biophys J 2023; 122:4057-4067. [PMID: 37717145 PMCID: PMC10624932 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its emergence, the COVID-19 threat has been sustained by a series of transmission waves initiated by new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Some of these arise with higher transmissivity and/or increased disease severity. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations to examine the modulation of the fundamental interactions between the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike glycoprotein and the host cell receptor (human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 [hACE2]) arising from Omicron variant mutations (BA.1 and BA.2) relative to the original wild-type strain. Our key findings are that glycans play a vital role at the RBD···hACE2 interface for the Omicrons, and the interplay between glycans and sequence mutations leads to enhanced binding. We find significant structural differences in the complexes, which overall bring the spike protein and its receptor into closer proximity. These are consistent with and attributed to the higher positive charge on the RBD conferred by BA.1 and BA.2 mutations relative to the wild-type. However, further differences between subvariants BA.1 and BA.2 (which have equivalent RBD charges) are also evident: mutations reduce interdomain interactions between the up chain and its clockwise neighbor chain in particular for the latter, resulting in enhanced flexibility for BA.2. Consequently, we see occurrence of additional close contacts in one replica of BA.2, which include binding to hACE2 by a second RBD in addition to the up chain. Although this motif is not seen in BA.1, we find that the Omicrons can directly/indirectly bind a down-RBD to hACE2 through glycans: the role of the glycan on N90 of hACE2 switches from inhibiting to facilitating the binding to Omicron spike protein via glycan-protein lateral interactions. These structural and electrostatic differences offer further insight into the mechanisms by which viral mutations modulate host cell binding and provide a biophysical basis for evolutionary driving forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Wen Hsiao
- The Hartree Centre, STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington, United Kingdom; Scientific Computing Department, STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington, United Kingdom.
| | - David J Bray
- The Hartree Centre, STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington, United Kingdom
| | - Tseden Taddese
- The Hartree Centre, STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jason Crain
- IBM Research Europe, Hartree Centre, Warrington, United Kingdom; Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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5
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Nguyen H, Nguyen HL, Lan PD, Thai NQ, Sikora M, Li MS. Interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with host cells and antibodies: experiment and simulation. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:6497-6553. [PMID: 37650302 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs01170g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the devastating global COVID-19 pandemic announced by WHO in March 2020. Through unprecedented scientific effort, several vaccines, drugs and antibodies have been developed, saving millions of lives, but the fight against COVID-19 continues as immune escape variants of concern such as Delta and Omicron emerge. To develop more effective treatments and to elucidate the side effects caused by vaccines and therapeutic agents, a deeper understanding of the molecular interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with them and human cells is required. With special interest in computational approaches, we will focus on the structure of SARS-CoV-2 and the interaction of its spike protein with human angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) as a prime entry point of the virus into host cells. In addition, other possible viral receptors will be considered. The fusion of viral and human membranes and the interaction of the spike protein with antibodies and nanobodies will be discussed, as well as the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on protein synthesis in host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung Nguyen
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Hoang Linh Nguyen
- Institute of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Duy Tan University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
- Faculty of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam
| | - Pham Dang Lan
- Life Science Lab, Institute for Computational Science and Technology, Quang Trung Software City, Tan Chanh Hiep Ward, District 12, 729110 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics, VNUHCM-University of Science, 227, Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 5, 749000 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Quoc Thai
- Dong Thap University, 783 Pham Huu Lau Street, Ward 6, Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap, Vietnam
| | - Mateusz Sikora
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mai Suan Li
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland.
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6
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Giroux E, Oake A, Lewis T, Martic S. Aptamer-, heparin- or cocktail-based inhibition of S1-ACE2 protein complexes. Anal Biochem 2023:115223. [PMID: 37385465 PMCID: PMC10299842 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2023.115223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
The Spike protein (S1) from the Severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 virus binds to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor to initiate infection. Hence, antiviral therapeutic targeting the S1-ACE2 interface is of interest. Herein, we compare the inhibition efficacy of an aptamer to heparin or their cocktail, against wild-type (WT), Omicron, Delta, and Lambda S1-ACE2 complexes. The aptamer-protein complexes had the dissociation constant KD values in the 2-13 nM range. The aptamer half-maximal inhibitory concentration against WT S1-ACE was 17 nM, with the % inhibition in the 12-35% range. Several aptamer-S1 protein complexes were also stable at low pH with 60% inhibition. Despite the similarity in S1 sequences, the extent of inhibition (2-27%) with heparin was highly dependent on the type of S1 protein. More importantly, heparin did not inhibit the WT S1-ACE2 complex but was effective with mutants. The aptamer-heparin cocktail was less effective compared to aptamer or heparin, individually. Modelling data show that either a direct or proximal binding to RBD sites by aptamer or heparin prevents the ACE2 binding. Overall, heparin was as an effective inhibitor as aptamer against certain variants, and represents the more cost-effective neutralizing agent against emerging coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Giroux
- Department of Forensic Science, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada
| | - A Oake
- Flemming College, Peterborough, Canada
| | - T Lewis
- Environmental and Life Science Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada
| | - S Martic
- Department of Forensic Science, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada; Environmental and Life Science Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada.
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7
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Pearson J, Wessler T, Chen A, Boucher RC, Freeman R, Lai SK, Pickles R, Forest MG. Modeling identifies variability in SARS-CoV-2 uptake and eclipse phase by infected cells as principal drivers of extreme variability in nasal viral load in the 48 h post infection. J Theor Biol 2023; 565:111470. [PMID: 36965846 PMCID: PMC10033495 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2023.111470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus continues to evolve with scores of mutations of the spike, membrane, envelope, and nucleocapsid structural proteins that impact pathogenesis. Infection data from nasal swabs, nasal PCR assays, upper respiratory samples, ex vivo cell cultures and nasal epithelial organoids reveal extreme variabilities in SARS-CoV-2 RNA titers within and between the variants. Some variabilities are naturally prone to clinical testing protocols and experimental controls. Here we focus on nasal viral load sensitivity arising from the timing of sample collection relative to onset of infection and from heterogeneity in the kinetics of cellular infection, uptake, replication, and shedding of viral RNA copies. The sources of between-variant variability are likely due to SARS-CoV-2 structural protein mutations, whereas within-variant population variability is likely due to heterogeneity in cellular response to that particular variant. With the physiologically faithful, agent-based mechanistic model of inhaled exposure and infection from (Chen et al., 2022), we perform statistical sensitivity analyses of the progression of nasal viral titers in the first 0-48 h post infection, focusing on three kinetic mechanisms. Model simulations reveal shorter latency times of infected cells (including cellular uptake, viral RNA replication, until the onset of viral RNA shedding) exponentially accelerate nasal viral load. Further, the rate of infectious RNA copies shed per day has a proportional influence on nasal viral load. Finally, there is a very weak, negative correlation of viral load with the probability of infection per virus-cell encounter, the model proxy for spike-receptor binding affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Pearson
- Department of Mathematics, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Timothy Wessler
- Department of Mathematics, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Alex Chen
- Department of Mathematics, California State University-Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA 90747, USA
| | - Richard C Boucher
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ronit Freeman
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Samuel K Lai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA; Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Raymond Pickles
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - M Gregory Forest
- Department of Mathematics, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
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8
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Manrique PD, Chakraborty S, Henderson R, Edwards RJ, Mansbach R, Nguyen K, Stalls V, Saunders C, Mansouri K, Acharya P, Korber B, Gnanakaran S. Network analysis uncovers the communication structure of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein identifying sites for immunogen design. iScience 2023; 26:105855. [PMID: 36590900 PMCID: PMC9791713 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has triggered myriad efforts to understand the structure and dynamics of this complex pathogen. The spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 is a significant target for immunogens as it is the means by which the virus enters human cells, while simultaneously sporting mutations responsible for immune escape. These functional and escape processes are regulated by complex molecular-level interactions. Our study presents quantitative insights on domain and residue contributions to allosteric communication, immune evasion, and local- and global-level control of functions through the derivation of a weighted graph representation from all-atom MD simulations. Focusing on the ancestral form and the D614G-variant, we provide evidence of the utility of our approach by guiding the selection of a mutation that alters the spike's stability. Taken together, the network approach serves as a valuable tool to evaluate communication "hot-spots" in proteins to guide design of stable immunogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro D. Manrique
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Srirupa Chakraborty
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
- Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Rory Henderson
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Robert J. Edwards
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Rachael Mansbach
- Physics Department, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H4B IR6, Canada
| | - Kien Nguyen
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Victoria Stalls
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Carrie Saunders
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Katayoun Mansouri
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Priyamvada Acharya
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Bette Korber
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - S. Gnanakaran
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
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9
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Nguyen K, López CA, Neale C, Van QN, Carpenter TS, Di Natale F, Travers T, Tran TH, Chan AH, Bhatia H, Frank PH, Tonelli M, Zhang X, Gulten G, Reddy T, Burns V, Oppelstrup T, Hengartner N, Simanshu DK, Bremer PT, Chen D, Glosli JN, Shrestha R, Turbyville T, Streitz FH, Nissley DV, Ingólfsson HI, Stephen AG, Lightstone FC, Gnanakaran S. Exploring CRD mobility during RAS/RAF engagement at the membrane. Biophys J 2022; 121:3630-3650. [PMID: 35778842 PMCID: PMC9617161 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
During the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, the RAS-binding domain (RBD) and cysteine-rich domain (CRD) of RAF bind to active RAS at the plasma membrane. The orientation of RAS at the membrane may be critical for formation of the RAS-RBDCRD complex and subsequent signaling. To explore how RAS membrane orientation relates to the protein dynamics within the RAS-RBDCRD complex, we perform multiscale coarse-grained and all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of KRAS4b bound to the RBD and CRD domains of RAF-1, both in solution and anchored to a model plasma membrane. Solution MD simulations describe dynamic KRAS4b-CRD conformations, suggesting that the CRD has sufficient flexibility in this environment to substantially change its binding interface with KRAS4b. In contrast, when the ternary complex is anchored to the membrane, the mobility of the CRD relative to KRAS4b is restricted, resulting in fewer distinct KRAS4b-CRD conformations. These simulations implicate membrane orientations of the ternary complex that are consistent with NMR measurements. While a crystal structure-like conformation is observed in both solution and membrane simulations, a particular intermolecular rearrangement of the ternary complex is observed only when it is anchored to the membrane. This configuration emerges when the CRD hydrophobic loops are inserted into the membrane and helices α3-5 of KRAS4b are solvent exposed. This membrane-specific configuration is stabilized by KRAS4b-CRD contacts that are not observed in the crystal structure. These results suggest modulatory interplay between the CRD and plasma membrane that correlate with RAS/RAF complex structure and dynamics, and potentially influence subsequent steps in the activation of MAPK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kien Nguyen
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
| | - Cesar A López
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
| | - Chris Neale
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
| | - Que N Van
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Timothy S Carpenter
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - Francesco Di Natale
- Applications, Simulations, and Quality, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | | | - Timothy H Tran
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Albert H Chan
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Harsh Bhatia
- Center for Applied Scientific Computing, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - Peter H Frank
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Marco Tonelli
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, Biochemistry Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Xiaohua Zhang
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - Gulcin Gulten
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Tyler Reddy
- CCS-7, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
| | - Violetta Burns
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
| | - Tomas Oppelstrup
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - Nick Hengartner
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
| | - Dhirendra K Simanshu
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Peer-Timo Bremer
- Center for Applied Scientific Computing, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - De Chen
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - James N Glosli
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - Rebika Shrestha
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Thomas Turbyville
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Frederick H Streitz
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - Dwight V Nissley
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Helgi I Ingólfsson
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - Andrew G Stephen
- National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Felice C Lightstone
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - Sandrasegaram Gnanakaran
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico.
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10
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Oh L, Varki A, Chen X, Wang LP. SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV Spike Protein Binding Studies Support Stable Mimic of Bound 9- O-Acetylated Sialic Acids. Molecules 2022; 27:5322. [PMID: 36014560 PMCID: PMC9415320 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27165322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Many disease-causing viruses target sialic acids (Sias), a class of nine-carbon sugars known to coat the surface of many cells, including those in the lungs. Human beta coronaviridae, known for causing respiratory tract diseases, often bind Sias, and some preferentially bind to those with 9-O-Ac-modification. Currently, co-binding of SARS-CoV-2, a beta coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, to human Sias has been reported and its preference towards α2-3-linked Neu5Ac has been shown. Nevertheless, O-acetylated Sias-protein binding studies are difficult to perform, due to the ester lability. We studied the binding free energy differences between Neu5,9Ac2α2-3GalβpNP and its more stable 9-NAc mimic binding to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein using molecular dynamics and alchemical free energy simulations. We identified multiple Sia-binding pockets, including two novel sites, with similar binding affinities to those of MERS-CoV, a known co-binder of sialic acid. In our binding poses, 9-NAc and 9-OAc Sias bind similarly, suggesting an experimentally reasonable mimic to probe viral mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Oh
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Ajit Varki
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Departments of Medicine and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Lee-Ping Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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11
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Impact of the temperature on the interactions between common variants of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain and the human ACE2. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11520. [PMID: 35798770 PMCID: PMC9261887 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15215-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Several key mutations in the Spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) have been identified to influence its affinity for the human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2). Here, we perform a comparative study of the ACE2 binding to the wild type (Wuhan) RBD and some of its variants: Alpha B.1.1.7, Beta B.1.351, Delta B.1.617.2, Kappa B.1.617.1, B.1.1.7 + L452R and Omicron B.1.1.529. Using a coiled-coil mediated tethering approach of ACE2 in a novel surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based assay, we measured interactions at different temperatures. Binding experiments at 10 °C enhanced the kinetic dissimilarities between the RBD variants and allowed a proper fit to a Langmuir 1:1 model with high accuracy and reproducibility, thus unraveling subtle differences within RBD mutants and ACE2 glycovariants. Our study emphasizes the importance of SPR-based assay parameters in the acquisition of biologically relevant data and offers a powerful tool to deepen our understanding of the role of the various RBD mutations in ACE2 interaction binding parameters.
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12
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Ray D, Quijano RN, Andricioaei I. Point mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants induce long-range dynamical perturbations in neutralizing antibodies. Chem Sci 2022; 13:7224-7239. [PMID: 35799828 PMCID: PMC9214918 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc00534d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies are emerging as a viable treatment for the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). However, newly evolved variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can reduce the efficacy of currently available antibodies and can diminish vaccine-induced immunity. Here, we demonstrate that the microscopic dynamics of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies can be profoundly modified by the mutations present in the spike proteins of the SARS-COV-2 variants currently circulating in the world population. The dynamical perturbations within the antibody structure, which alter the thermodynamics of antigen recognition, are diverse and can depend both on the nature of the antibody and on the spatial location of the spike mutation. The correlation between the motion of the antibody and that of the spike receptor binding domain (RBD) can also be changed, modulating binding affinity. Using protein-graph-connectivity networks, we delineated the mutant-induced modifications in the information-flow along allosteric pathway throughout the antibody. Changes in the collective dynamics were spatially distributed both locally and across long-range distances within the antibody. On the receptor side, we identified an anchor-like structural element that prevents the detachment of the antibodies; individual mutations there can significantly affect the antibody binding propensity. Our study provides insight into how virus neutralization by monoclonal antibodies can be impacted by local mutations in the epitope via a change in dynamics. This realization adds a new layer of sophistication to the efforts for rational design of monoclonal antibodies against new variants of SARS-CoV2, taking the allostery in the antibody into consideration. Mutations in the new variants of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein modulates the dynamics of the neutralizing antibodies. Capturing such modulations from MD simulations and graph network model identifies the role of mutations in facilitating immune evasion.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhiman Ray
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine Irvine CA 92697 USA
| | | | - Ioan Andricioaei
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine Irvine CA 92697 USA .,Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California Irvine Irvine CA 92697 USA
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13
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Chen A, Wessler T, Daftari K, Hinton K, Boucher RC, Pickles R, Freeman R, Lai SK, Forest MG. Modeling insights into SARS-CoV-2 respiratory tract infections prior to immune protection. Biophys J 2022; 121:1619-1631. [PMID: 35378080 PMCID: PMC8975607 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanistic insights into human respiratory tract (RT) infections from SARS-CoV-2 can inform public awareness as well as guide medical prevention and treatment for COVID-19 disease. Yet the complexity of the RT and the inability to access diverse regions pose fundamental roadblocks to evaluation of potential mechanisms for the onset and progression of infection (and transmission). We present a model that incorporates detailed RT anatomy and physiology, including airway geometry, physical dimensions, thicknesses of airway surface liquids (ASLs), and mucus layer transport by cilia. The model further incorporates SARS-CoV-2 diffusivity in ASLs and best-known data for epithelial cell infection probabilities, and, once infected, duration of eclipse and replication phases, and replication rate of infectious virions. We apply this baseline model in the absence of immune protection to explore immediate, short-term outcomes from novel SARS-CoV-2 depositions onto the air-ASL interface. For each RT location, we compute probability to clear versus infect; per infected cell, we compute dynamics of viral load and cell infection. Results reveal that nasal infections are highly likely within 1-2 days from minimal exposure, and alveolar pneumonia occurs only if infectious virions are deposited directly into alveolar ducts and sacs, not via retrograde propagation to the deep lung. Furthermore, to infect just 1% of the 140 m2 of alveolar surface area within 1 week, either 103 boluses each with 106 infectious virions or 106 aerosols with one infectious virion, all physically separated, must be directly deposited. These results strongly suggest that COVID-19 disease occurs in stages: a nasal/upper RT infection, followed by self-transmission of infection to the deep lung. Two mechanisms of self-transmission are persistent aspiration of infected nasal boluses that drain to the deep lung and repeated rupture of nasal aerosols from infected mucosal membranes by speaking, singing, or cheering that are partially inhaled, exhaled, and re-inhaled, to the deep lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Chen
- Department of Mathematics, CSU Dominguez Hills, Carson, California
| | - Timothy Wessler
- Department of Mathematics, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
| | - Katherine Daftari
- Department of Mathematics, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Kameryn Hinton
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Richard C Boucher
- Marsico Lung Institute, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Raymond Pickles
- Marsico Lung Institute, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Ronit Freeman
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Samuel K Lai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC Chapel Hill and NC State University, Chapel Hill and Raleigh, North Carolina; Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - M Gregory Forest
- Department of Mathematics, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Applied Physical Sciences, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC Chapel Hill and NC State University, Chapel Hill and Raleigh, North Carolina.
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14
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Parra-Lucares A, Toro L, Weitz-Muñoz S, Ramos C. Cardiomyopathy Associated with Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination: What Do We Know? Viruses 2021; 13:2493. [PMID: 34960761 PMCID: PMC8708989 DOI: 10.3390/v13122493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has mobilized many efforts worldwide to curb its impact on morbidity and mortality. Vaccination of the general population has resulted in the administration of more than 6,700,000,000 doses by the end of October 2021, which is the most effective method to prevent hospitalization and death. Among the adverse effects described, myocarditis and pericarditis are low-frequency events (less than 10 per 100,000 people), mainly observed with messenger RNA vaccines. The mechanisms responsible for these effects have not been specified, considering an exacerbated and uncontrolled immune response and an autoimmune response against specific cardiomyocyte proteins. This greater immunogenicity and reactogenicity is clinically manifested in a differential manner in pediatric patients, adults, and the elderly, determining specific characteristics of its presentation for each age group. It generally develops as a condition of mild to moderate severity, whose symptoms and imaging findings are self-limited, resolving favorably in days to weeks and, exceptionally, reporting deaths associated with this complication. The short- and medium-term prognosis is favorable, highlighting the lack of data on long-term evolution, which should be determined in longer follow-ups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Parra-Lucares
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380420, Chile
| | - Luis Toro
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380420, Chile
- Critical Care Unit, Clinica Las Condes, Santiago 7591046, Chile
- Centro de Investigación Clínica Avanzada, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380420, Chile
| | - Sebastián Weitz-Muñoz
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380420, Chile;
| | - Cristóbal Ramos
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380420, Chile;
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15
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Huang Y, Harris BS, Minami SA, Jung S, Shah PS, Nandi S, McDonald KA, Faller R. SARS-CoV-2 spike binding to ACE2 is stronger and longer ranged due to glycan interaction. Biophys J 2021; 121:79-90. [PMID: 34883069 PMCID: PMC8648368 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Highly detailed steered molecular dynamics simulations are performed on differently glycosylated receptor binding domains of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 spike protein. The binding strength and the binding range increase with glycosylation. The interaction energy rises very quickly when pulling the proteins apart and only slowly drops at larger distances. We see a catch-slip-type behavior whereby interactions during pulling break and are taken over by new interactions forming. The dominant interaction mode is hydrogen bonds, but Lennard-Jones and electrostatic interactions are relevant as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihan Huang
- Department of Materials Science, UC Davis, Davis, California
| | | | - Shiaki A Minami
- Department of Chemical Engineering, UC Davis, Davis, California
| | - Seongwon Jung
- Department of Chemical Engineering, UC Davis, Davis, California
| | - Priya S Shah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, UC Davis, Davis, California; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UC Davis, Davis, California
| | - Somen Nandi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, UC Davis, Davis, California; Global HealthShare Initiative, UC Davis, Davis, California
| | - Karen A McDonald
- Department of Chemical Engineering, UC Davis, Davis, California; Global HealthShare Initiative, UC Davis, Davis, California
| | - Roland Faller
- Department of Chemical Engineering, UC Davis, Davis, California.
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16
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Lundstrom K, Aljabali AAA. COVID-19 in 2021. Viruses 2021; 13:2098. [PMID: 34696528 PMCID: PMC8539425 DOI: 10.3390/v13102098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Special Issue on Vaccines and Therapeutics against Coronaviruses, which was launched in early 2021, has attracted the scientific community at large, and more than 20 manuscripts have been accepted for publication.[...].
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alaa A. A. Aljabali
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan;
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17
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Ngo VA, Jha RK. Identifying key determinants and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2/ACE2 tight interaction. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257905. [PMID: 34582502 PMCID: PMC8478251 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of Covid-19, has fired up a global pandemic. The virus interacts with the human receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for an invasion via receptor binding domain (RBD) on its spike protein. To provide a deeper understanding of this interaction, we performed microsecond simulations of the RBD-ACE2 complex for SARS-CoV-2 and compared it with the closely related SARS-CoV discovered in 2003. We show residues in the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 that were mutated from SARS-CoV, collectively help make the RBD anchor much stronger to the N-terminal part of ACE2 than the corresponding residues on RBD of SARS-CoV. This would result in a reduced dissociation rate of SARS-CoV-2 from human receptor protein compared to SARS-CoV. The phenomenon was consistently observed in simulations beyond 500 ns and was reproducible across different force fields. Altogether, our study adds more insight into the critical dynamics of the key residues at the virus spike and human receptor binding interface and potentially aids the development of diagnostics and therapeutics to combat the pandemic efficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van A. Ngo
- Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Ramesh K. Jha
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
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