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Kim Y, Maltseva N, Tesar C, Jedrzejczak R, Endres M, Ma H, Dugan HL, Stamper CT, Chang C, Li L, Changrob S, Zheng NY, Huang M, Ramanathan A, Wilson P, Michalska K, Joachimiak A. Epitopes recognition of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid RNA binding domain by human monoclonal antibodies. iScience 2024; 27:108976. [PMID: 38327783 PMCID: PMC10847736 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus nucleocapsid protein (NP) of SARS-CoV-2 plays a central role in many functions important for virus proliferation including packaging and protecting genomic RNA. The protein shares sequence, structure, and architecture with nucleocapsid proteins from betacoronaviruses. The N-terminal domain (NPRBD) binds RNA and the C-terminal domain is responsible for dimerization. After infection, NP is highly expressed and triggers robust host immune response. The anti-NP antibodies are not protective and not neutralizing but can effectively detect viral proliferation soon after infection. Two structures of SARS-CoV-2 NPRBD were determined providing a continuous model from residue 48 to 173, including RNA binding region and key epitopes. Five structures of NPRBD complexes with human mAbs were isolated using an antigen-bait sorting. Complexes revealed a distinct complement-determining regions and unique sets of epitope recognition. This may assist in the early detection of pathogens and designing peptide-based vaccines. Mutations that significantly increase viral load were mapped on developed, full length NP model, likely impacting interactions with host proteins and viral RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngchang Kim
- Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60367, USA
- Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Natalia Maltseva
- Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60367, USA
- Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Christine Tesar
- Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60367, USA
- Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Robert Jedrzejczak
- Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60367, USA
- Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Michael Endres
- Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60367, USA
- Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Heng Ma
- Data Science and Learning Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Haley L. Dugan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60367, USA
| | - Christopher T. Stamper
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60367, USA
| | - Changsoo Chang
- Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60367, USA
- Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60367, USA
| | - Siriruk Changrob
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60367, USA
| | - Nai-Ying Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60367, USA
| | - Min Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60367, USA
| | - Arvind Ramanathan
- Data Science and Learning Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Patrick Wilson
- Gale and Ira Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Karolina Michalska
- Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60367, USA
- Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Andrzej Joachimiak
- Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60367, USA
- Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60367, USA
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Lu Y, Ye Z, Liu X, Zhou L, Ding X, Hou Y. Role of SARS‑CoV‑2 nucleocapsid protein in affecting immune cells and insights on its molecular mechanisms. Exp Ther Med 2023; 26:504. [PMID: 37822585 PMCID: PMC10562965 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2023.12203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to explore the immune regulatory function of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleocapsid (N) protein and related mechanisms. In a series of protein activity experiments, SARS-CoV-2 N protein promoted proliferation of three immune cell lines: mouse Raw264.7, human Jurkat and human Raji in a dose-dependent manner. A total of 10 µg/ml N protein could significantly change cell cycle progression of the aforementioned three immune cell lines and could promote quick entry of Raw264.7 cells into G2/M phase from S phase to achieve rapid growth. Additionally, the N protein could also stimulate Raw264.7 cells to secrete a number of proinflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10. RNA sequencing analysis indicated that the N protein changed the expression of certain genes involved in immune-related functions and four important signaling pathways, including JAK-STAT, TNF, NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, which suggested that the N protein may not only regulate the expression of genes involved in the process of resisting viral infection in macrophages of the immune system, but also change cellular signal processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan 637009, P.R. China
| | - Ziyu Ye
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan 637009, P.R. China
| | - Xinlan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Nanchong City of Ecological Environment Protection and Pollution Prevention in Jialing River Basin, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan 637009, P.R. China
| | - Liqian Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan 637009, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Ding
- Key Laboratory of Nanchong City of Ecological Environment Protection and Pollution Prevention in Jialing River Basin, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan 637009, P.R. China
| | - Yiling Hou
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan 637009, P.R. China
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Ramos FF, Pereira IAG, Cardoso MM, Bandeira RS, Lage DP, Scussel R, Anastacio RS, Freire VG, Melo MFN, Oliveira-da-Silva JA, Martins VT, Tavares GSV, Vale DL, Freitas CS, Chaves AT, Caporali JFM, Vassallo PF, Ravetti CG, Nobre V, Fonseca FG, Christodoulides M, Machado-de-Ávila RA, Coelho EAF, Ludolf F. B-Cell Epitopes-Based Chimeric Protein from SARS-CoV-2 N and S Proteins Is Recognized by Specific Antibodies in Serum and Urine Samples from Patients. Viruses 2023; 15:1877. [PMID: 37766284 PMCID: PMC10538162 DOI: 10.3390/v15091877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus underscored the crucial role of laboratorial tests as a strategy to control the disease, mainly to indicate the presence of specific antibodies in human samples from infected patients. Therefore, suitable recombinant antigens are relevant for the development of reliable tests, and so far, single recombinant proteins have been used. In this context, B-cell epitopes-based chimeric proteins can be an alternative to obtain tests with high accuracy through easier and cheaper production. The present study used bioinformatics tools to select specific B-cell epitopes from the spike (S) and the nucleocapsid (N) proteins from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, aiming to produce a novel recombinant chimeric antigen (N4S11-SC2). Eleven S and four N-derived B-cell epitopes were predicted and used to construct the N4S11-SC2 protein, which was analyzed in a recombinant format against serum and urine samples, by means of an in house-ELISA. Specific antibodies were detected in the serum and urine samples of COVID-19 patients, which were previously confirmed by qRT-PCR. Results showed that N4S11-SC2 presented 83.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity when using sera samples, and 91.1% sensitivity and 100% specificity using urine samples. Comparable findings were achieved with paired urine samples when compared to N and S recombinant proteins expressed in prokaryotic systems. However, better results were reached for N4S11-SC2 in comparison to the S recombinant protein when using paired serum samples. Anti-N4S11-SC2 antibodies were not clearly identified in Janssen Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19-vaccinated subjects, using serum or paired urine samples. In conclusion, this study presents a new chimeric recombinant antigen expressed in a prokaryotic system that could be considered as an alternative diagnostic marker for the SARS-CoV-2 infection, with the potential benefits to be used on serum or urine from infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda F. Ramos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (F.F.R.); (I.A.G.P.); (M.M.C.); (E.A.F.C.)
| | - Isabela A. G. Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (F.F.R.); (I.A.G.P.); (M.M.C.); (E.A.F.C.)
| | - Mariana M. Cardoso
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (F.F.R.); (I.A.G.P.); (M.M.C.); (E.A.F.C.)
| | - Raquel S. Bandeira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (F.F.R.); (I.A.G.P.); (M.M.C.); (E.A.F.C.)
| | - Daniela P. Lage
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (F.F.R.); (I.A.G.P.); (M.M.C.); (E.A.F.C.)
| | - Rahisa Scussel
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma 88806-000, Santa Catarina, Brazil (R.A.M.-d.-Á.)
| | - Rafaela S. Anastacio
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma 88806-000, Santa Catarina, Brazil (R.A.M.-d.-Á.)
| | - Victor G. Freire
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma 88806-000, Santa Catarina, Brazil (R.A.M.-d.-Á.)
| | - Marina F. N. Melo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (F.F.R.); (I.A.G.P.); (M.M.C.); (E.A.F.C.)
| | - Joao A. Oliveira-da-Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (F.F.R.); (I.A.G.P.); (M.M.C.); (E.A.F.C.)
| | - Vivian T. Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (F.F.R.); (I.A.G.P.); (M.M.C.); (E.A.F.C.)
| | - Grasiele S. V. Tavares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (F.F.R.); (I.A.G.P.); (M.M.C.); (E.A.F.C.)
| | - Danniele L. Vale
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (F.F.R.); (I.A.G.P.); (M.M.C.); (E.A.F.C.)
| | - Camila S. Freitas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (F.F.R.); (I.A.G.P.); (M.M.C.); (E.A.F.C.)
| | - Ana Thereza Chaves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (F.F.R.); (I.A.G.P.); (M.M.C.); (E.A.F.C.)
| | - Júlia F. M. Caporali
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (F.F.R.); (I.A.G.P.); (M.M.C.); (E.A.F.C.)
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paula F. Vassallo
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Cecilia G. Ravetti
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vandack Nobre
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (F.F.R.); (I.A.G.P.); (M.M.C.); (E.A.F.C.)
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Flavio G. Fonseca
- Centro de Tecnologia de Vacinas (CT Vacinas), BH-Tec, UFMG, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular e Aplicada, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Myron Christodoulides
- Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Ricardo A. Machado-de-Ávila
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma 88806-000, Santa Catarina, Brazil (R.A.M.-d.-Á.)
| | - Eduardo A. F. Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (F.F.R.); (I.A.G.P.); (M.M.C.); (E.A.F.C.)
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Ludolf
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (F.F.R.); (I.A.G.P.); (M.M.C.); (E.A.F.C.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-110, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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