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Gonzalez-Rodriguez E, Zol-Hanlon M, Bineva-Todd G, Marchesi A, Skehel M, Mahoney KE, Roustan C, Borg A, Di Vagno L, Kjær S, Wrobel AG, Benton DJ, Nawrath P, Flitsch SL, Joshi D, González-Ramírez A, Wilkinson KA, Wilkinson RJ, Wall EC, Hurtado-Guerrero R, Malaker SA, Schumann B. O-Linked Sialoglycans Modulate the Proteolysis of SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Likely Contribute to the Mutational Trajectory in Variants of Concern. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2023; 9:393-404. [PMID: 36968546 PMCID: PMC10037455 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.2c01349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of a polybasic cleavage motif for the protease furin in SARS-CoV-2 spike has been established as a major factor for human viral transmission. The region N-terminal to that motif is extensively mutated in variants of concern (VOCs). Besides furin, spikes from these variants appear to rely on other proteases for maturation, including TMPRSS2. Glycans near the cleavage site have raised questions about proteolytic processing and the consequences of variant-borne mutations. Here, we identify that sialic acid-containing O-linked glycans on Thr678 of SARS-CoV-2 spike influence furin and TMPRSS2 cleavage and posit O-linked glycosylation as a likely driving force for the emergence of VOC mutations. We provide direct evidence that the glycosyltransferase GalNAc-T1 primes glycosylation at Thr678 in the living cell, an event that is suppressed by mutations in the VOCs Alpha, Delta, and Omicron. We found that the sole incorporation of N-acetylgalactosamine did not impact furin activity in synthetic O-glycopeptides, but the presence of sialic acid reduced the furin rate by up to 65%. Similarly, O-glycosylation with a sialylated trisaccharide had a negative impact on TMPRSS2 cleavage. With a chemistry-centered approach, we substantiate O-glycosylation as a major determinant of spike maturation and propose disruption of O-glycosylation as a substantial driving force for VOC evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Gonzalez-Rodriguez
- Chemical
Glycobiology Laboratory, The Francis Crick
Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, W12 0BZ London, United Kingdom
| | - Mia Zol-Hanlon
- Chemical
Glycobiology Laboratory, The Francis Crick
Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
- Signalling
and Structural Biology Lab, The Francis
Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | - Ganka Bineva-Todd
- Chemical
Glycobiology Laboratory, The Francis Crick
Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Marchesi
- Chemical
Glycobiology Laboratory, The Francis Crick
Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, W12 0BZ London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Skehel
- Proteomics
Science Technology Platform, The Francis
Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | - Keira E. Mahoney
- Department
of Chemistry, Yale University, 275 Prospect Street, 06511 New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Chloë Roustan
- Structural
Biology Science Technology Platform, The
Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | - Annabel Borg
- Structural
Biology Science Technology Platform, The
Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | - Lucia Di Vagno
- Chemical
Glycobiology Laboratory, The Francis Crick
Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
- Proteomics
Science Technology Platform, The Francis
Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | - Svend Kjær
- Structural
Biology Science Technology Platform, The
Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | - Antoni G. Wrobel
- Structural
Biology of Disease Processes Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | - Donald J. Benton
- Structural
Biology of Disease Processes Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | - Philipp Nawrath
- Structural
Biology of Disease Processes Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | - Sabine L. Flitsch
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, University of
Manchester, 131 Princess Street, M1 7DN Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Dhira Joshi
- Chemical
Biology Science Technology Platform, The
Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Katalin A. Wilkinson
- Tuberculosis
Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
- Wellcome
Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, 7925 Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Robert J. Wilkinson
- Tuberculosis
Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
- Wellcome
Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, 7925 Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College
London, W12 0NN London, United Kingdom
- Institute
of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, 7925 Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Emma C. Wall
- The Francis
Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
- University
College London Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre, W1T 7DN London, United Kingdom
| | - Ramón Hurtado-Guerrero
- Institute
of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Copenhagen
Center for Glycomics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Fundación
ARAID, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Stacy A. Malaker
- Department
of Chemistry, Yale University, 275 Prospect Street, 06511 New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Benjamin Schumann
- Chemical
Glycobiology Laboratory, The Francis Crick
Institute, NW1 1AT London, United Kingdom
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, W12 0BZ London, United Kingdom
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2
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Cassari L, Pavan A, Zoia G, Chinellato M, Zeni E, Grinzato A, Rothenberger S, Cendron L, Dettin M, Pasquato A. SARS-CoV-2 S Mutations: A Lesson from the Viral World to Understand How Human Furin Works. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:4791. [PMID: 36902222 PMCID: PMC10003014 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent responsible for the worldwide pandemic and has now claimed millions of lives. The virus combines several unusual characteristics and an extraordinary ability to spread among humans. In particular, the dependence of the maturation of the envelope glycoprotein S from Furin enables the invasion and replication of the virus virtually within the entire body, since this cellular protease is ubiquitously expressed. Here, we analyzed the naturally occurring variation of the amino acids sequence around the cleavage site of S. We found that the virus grossly mutates preferentially at P positions, resulting in single residue replacements that associate with gain-of-function phenotypes in specific conditions. Interestingly, some combinations of amino acids are absent, despite the evidence supporting some cleavability of the respective synthetic surrogates. In any case, the polybasic signature is maintained and, as a consequence, Furin dependence is preserved. Thus, no escape variants to Furin are observed in the population. Overall, the SARS-CoV-2 system per se represents an outstanding example of the evolution of substrate-enzyme interaction, demonstrating a fast-tracked optimization of a protein stretch towards the Furin catalytic pocket. Ultimately, these data disclose important information for the development of drugs targeting Furin and Furin-dependent pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Cassari
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Angela Pavan
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Giulia Zoia
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Monica Chinellato
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Elena Zeni
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Grinzato
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 71, Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Sylvia Rothenberger
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 48, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection, Austrasse, 3700 Spiez, Switzerland
| | - Laura Cendron
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Monica Dettin
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Antonella Pasquato
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
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SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Populations in Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, from April 2020 to January 2022. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091918. [PMID: 36146724 PMCID: PMC9505681 DOI: 10.3390/v14091918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has highlighted the disparity between developed and developing countries for infectious disease surveillance and the sequencing of pathogen genomes. The majority of SARS-CoV-2 sequences published are from Europe, North America, and Asia. Between April 2020 and January 2022, 795 SARS-CoV-2-positive nares swabs from individuals in the U.S. Navy installation Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, were collected, sequenced, and analyzed. In this study, we described the results of genomic sequencing and analysis for 589 samples, the first published viral sequences for Djibouti, including 196 cases of vaccine breakthrough infections. This study contributes to the knowledge base of circulating SARS-CoV-2 lineages in the under-sampled country of Djibouti, where only 716 total genome sequences are available at time of publication. Our analysis resulted in the detection of circulating variants of concern, mutations of interest in lineages in which those mutations are not common, and emerging spike mutations.
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Review of concerned SARS-CoV-2 variants like Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529), as well as novel methods for reducing and inactivating SARS-CoV-2 mutants in wastewater treatment facilities. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ADVANCES 2022. [PMID: 37520798 PMCID: PMC9349052 DOI: 10.1016/j.hazadv.2022.100140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus known as COVID-19, which causes pandemics, is causing a global epidemic at a critical stage today. Furthermore, novel mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein have been discovered in an entirely new strain, impacting the clinical and epidemiological features of COVID-19. Variants of these viruses can increase the transmission in wastewater, lead to reinfection, and reduce immunity provided by monoclonal antibodies and vaccinations. According to the research, a large quantity of viral RNA was discovered in wastewater, suggesting that wastewater can be a crucial source of epidemiological data and health hazards. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a few basic concepts regarding wastewater surveillance as a starting point for comprehending COVID-19′s epidemiological aspects. Next, the observation of Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529) in wastewater is discussed in detail. Secondly, the essential information for the initial, primary, and final treating sewage in SARS-CoV-2 is introduced. Following that, a thorough examination is provided to highlight the newly developed methods for eradicating SARS-CoV-2 using a combination of solar water disinfection (SODIS) and ultraviolet radiation A (UVA (315-400 nm)), ultraviolet radiation B (UVB (280-315 nm)), and ultraviolet radiation C (UVC (100-280 nm)) processes. SARS-CoV-2 eradication requires high temperatures (above 56°C) and UVC. However, SODIS technologies are based on UVA and operate at cooler temperatures (less than 45°C). Hence, it is not appropriate for sewage treatment (or water consumption) to be conducted using SODIS methods in the current pandemic. Finally, SARS-CoV-2 may be discovered in sewage utilizing the wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) monitoring method.
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Capturing a Crucial ‘Disorder-to-Order Transition’ at the Heart of the Coronavirus Molecular Pathology—Triggered by Highly Persistent, Interchangeable Salt-Bridges. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020301. [PMID: 35214759 PMCID: PMC8875383 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020301] [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: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 origin debate has greatly been influenced by genome comparison studies of late, revealing the emergence of the Furin-like cleavage site at the S1/S2 junction of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (FLCSSpike) containing its 681PRRAR685 motif, absent in other related respiratory viruses. Being the rate-limiting (i.e., the slowest) step, the host Furin cleavage is instrumental in the abrupt increase in transmissibility in COVID-19, compared to earlier onsets of respiratory viral diseases. In such a context, the current paper entraps a ‘disorder-to-order transition’ of the FLCSSpike (concomitant to an entropy arrest) upon binding to Furin. The interaction clearly seems to be optimized for a more efficient proteolytic cleavage in SARS-CoV-2. The study further shows the formation of dynamically interchangeable and persistent networks of salt-bridges at the Spike–Furin interface in SARS-CoV-2 involving the three arginines (R682, R683, R685) of the FLCSSpike with several anionic residues (E230, E236, D259, D264, D306) coming from Furin, strategically distributed around its catalytic triad. Multiplicity and structural degeneracy of plausible salt-bridge network archetypes seem to be the other key characteristic features of the Spike–Furin binding in SARS-CoV-2, allowing the system to breathe—a trademark of protein disorder transitions. Interestingly, with respect to the homologous interaction in SARS-CoV (2002/2003) taken as a baseline, the Spike–Furin binding events, generally, in the coronavirus lineage, seems to have preference for ionic bond formation, even with a lesser number of cationic residues at their potentially polybasic FLCSSpike patches. The interaction energies are suggestive of characteristic metastabilities attributed to Spike–Furin interactions, generally to the coronavirus lineage, which appears to be favorable for proteolytic cleavages targeted at flexible protein loops. The current findings not only offer novel mechanistic insights into the coronavirus molecular pathology and evolution, but also add substantially to the existing theories of proteolytic cleavages.
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6
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Novel Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Binding to Neuropilin 1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020165. [PMID: 35215277 PMCID: PMC8879887 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Furin cleavage of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein results in a polybasic terminal sequence termed the C-end rule (CendR), which is responsible for the binding to neuropilin 1 (NRP1), enhancing viral infectivity and entry into the cell. Here we report the identification of 20 small-molecule inhibitors that emerged from a virtual screening of nearly 950,000 drug-like compounds that bind with high probability to the CendR-binding pocket of NRP1. In a spike NRP1 binding assay, two of these compounds displayed a stronger inhibition of spike protein binding to NRP1 than the known NRP1 antagonist EG00229, for which the inhibition of the CendR peptide binding to NRP1 was also experimentally confirmed. These compounds present a good starting point for the design of small-molecule antagonists against the SARS-CoV-2 viral entry.
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Afrin SZ, Islam MT, Paul SK, Kobayashi N, Parvin R. Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) in Bangladesh during the first half of 2021. Virology 2022; 565:29-37. [PMID: 34700068 PMCID: PMC8531988 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2021.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Bangladesh is the second-worst-affected country in South Asia by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The aim of this study is to examine genome sequences from Bangladesh from January 2021 to June 2021 in order to monitor the SARS-CoV-2 VOC and the clades or lineages that are prevalent in the country. Within the study timeframe, at least eight Nextstrain clades were found: 20A, 20B, 20C, 20H (Beta, V2), 20I (Alpha, V1), 20 J (Gamma, V3), 21A (Delta), 21D (Eta), and six GISAID clades: four main (G, GH, GR, GRY) and two minors (GV, O) with an introduction of VOC B.1.1.7/Alpha, B.1.351/Beta and B.1.617.2/Delta. The introduction and recent occurrence of VOCs with substantial alterations in the receptor binding site of spike protein (K417 N, K417T, L452R, T478K, E484K, S494P, N501Y) are of particular importance. Specifically, VOC B.1.617.2/Delta has surpassed all prior VOCs in Bangladesh, posing a challenge to the existing disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Md Taohidul Islam
- Population Medicine and AMR Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Shyamal Kumar Paul
- Department of Microbiology, Netrokona Medical College, Netrokona, Bangladesh
| | - Nobumichi Kobayashi
- Department of Hygiene, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Rokshana Parvin
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh.
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Zanganeh S, Goodarzi N, Doroudian M, Movahed E. Potential COVID-19 therapeutic approaches targeting angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; An updated review. Rev Med Virol 2021; 32:e2321. [PMID: 34958163 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 has spread swiftly throughout the world posing a global health emergency. The significant numbers of deaths attributed to this pandemic have researchers battling to understand this new, dangerous virus. Researchers are looking to find possible treatment regimens and develop effective therapies. This study aims to provide an overview of published scientific information on potential treatments, emphasizing angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) inhibitors as one of the most important drug targets. SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD); as a viral attachment or entry inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2, human recombinant soluble ACE2; as a genetically modified soluble form of ACE2 to compete with membrane-bound ACE2, and microRNAs (miRNAs); as a negative regulator of the expression of ACE2/TMPRSS2 to inhibit SARS-CoV2 entry into cells, are the potential therapeutic approaches discussed thoroughly in this article. This review provides the groundwork for the ongoing development of therapeutic agents and effective treatments against SARS-COV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Zanganeh
- Department of Cell and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Goodarzi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Doroudian
- Department of Cell and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elaheh Movahed
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New Year, USA
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9
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Hossain MG, Tang YD, Akter S, Zheng C. Roles of the polybasic furin cleavage site of spike protein in SARS-CoV-2 replication, pathogenesis, and host immune responses and vaccination. J Med Virol 2021; 94:1815-1820. [PMID: 34936124 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The polybasic furin cleavage site insertion with four amino acid motifs (PRRA) in spike protein's S1/S2 junction site is important in determining viral infectivity, transmission, and host range. However, there is no review so far explaining the effect of the furin cleavage site of the spike protein on SARS-CoV-2 replication and pathogenesis in the host and immune responses and vaccination. Therefore, here we specifically focused on genomic evolution and properties of the cleavage site of spike protein in the context of SARS-CoV-2 followed by its effect on viral entry, replication, and pathogenesis. We also explored whether the spike protein furin cleavage site affected the host immune responses and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. This review will help to provide novel insights into the effects of polybasic furin cleavage site on the current COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Golzar Hossain
- Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Yan-Dong Tang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Sharmin Akter
- Department of Physiology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Chunfu Zheng
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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10
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Ghosh AK, Kaiser M, Molla MMA, Nafisa T, Yeasmin M, Ratul RH, Sharif MM, Akram A, Hosen N, Mamunur R, Amin MR, Islam A, Hoque ME, Landt O, Lytton SD. Molecular and Serological Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant in Bangladesh in 2021. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112310. [PMID: 34835116 PMCID: PMC8623815 DOI: 10.3390/v13112310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel SARS-CoV-2 variants are emerging at an alarming rate. The delta variant and other variants of concern (VoC) carry spike (S)-protein mutations, which have the potential to evade protective immunity, to trigger break-through infections after COVID-19 vaccination, and to propagate future waves of COVID-19 pandemic. To identify SARS CoV-2 variants in Bangladesh, patients who are RT-PCR-positive for COVID-19 infections in Dhaka were screened by a RT-PCR melting curve analysis for spike protein mutations. To assess the anti-SARS CoV-2 antibody responses, the levels of the anti-S -proteins IgA and IgG and the anti-N-protein IgG were measured by ELISA. Of a total of 36 RT-PCR positive samples (75%), 27 were identified as delta variants, with one carrying an additional Q677H mutation and two with single nucleotide substitutions at position 23029 (compared to Wuhan-Hu-1 reference NC 045512) in the genome sequence. Three (8.3%) were identified as beta variants, two (5.5%) were identified as alpha variants, three (8.3%) were identified as having a B.1.1.318 lineage, and one sample was identified as an eta variant (B.1.525) carrying an additional V687L mutation. The trend of higher viral load (lower Cp values) among delta variants than in the alpha and beta variants was of borderline statistical significance (p = 0.045). Prospective studies with larger Bangladeshi cohorts are warranted to confirm the emergence of S-protein mutations and their association with antibody response in natural infection and potential breakthrough in vaccinated subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asish Kumar Ghosh
- Department of Virology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh; (A.K.G.); (R.H.R.); (M.M.S.); (M.R.A.)
| | - Marco Kaiser
- GenExpress Gesellschaft für Proteindesign GmbH, Eresburgstraße 22-23 D, 12103 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Md. Maruf Ahmed Molla
- National Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral Center, Sher E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (M.M.A.M.); (T.N.); (M.Y.); (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.E.H.)
| | - Tasnim Nafisa
- National Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral Center, Sher E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (M.M.A.M.); (T.N.); (M.Y.); (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.E.H.)
| | - Mahmuda Yeasmin
- National Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral Center, Sher E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (M.M.A.M.); (T.N.); (M.Y.); (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.E.H.)
| | - Rifat Hossain Ratul
- Department of Virology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh; (A.K.G.); (R.H.R.); (M.M.S.); (M.R.A.)
| | - Md. Mohiuddin Sharif
- Department of Virology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh; (A.K.G.); (R.H.R.); (M.M.S.); (M.R.A.)
| | - Arifa Akram
- National Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral Center, Sher E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (M.M.A.M.); (T.N.); (M.Y.); (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.E.H.)
| | - Nur Hosen
- National Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral Center, Sher E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (M.M.A.M.); (T.N.); (M.Y.); (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.E.H.)
| | - Rashid Mamunur
- Bangladesh Institute Tropical Infectious Disease (BITID), Fouzderhat, Chittagong 4317, Bangladesh;
| | - Md. Robed Amin
- Department of Virology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh; (A.K.G.); (R.H.R.); (M.M.S.); (M.R.A.)
| | - Alimul Islam
- Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh;
| | - Md. Ehsanul Hoque
- National Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral Center, Sher E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (M.M.A.M.); (T.N.); (M.Y.); (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.E.H.)
| | - Olfert Landt
- TIB Molbiol GmbH, Eresburgstraße 22-23, 12103 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Simon D. Lytton
- SeraDiaLogistics, 81545 Munich, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-172-49-11169
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Abstract
The sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) to neutralizing antibodies has largely been studied in the context of key receptor binding domain (RBD) mutations, including E484K and N501Y. Little is known about the epistatic effects of combined SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations. We now investigate the neutralization sensitivity of variants containing the non-RBD mutation Q677H, including B.1.525 (Nigerian isolate) and Bluebird (U.S. isolate) variants. The effect on neutralization of Q677H was determined in the context of the RBD mutations and in the background of major VOCs, including B.1.1.7 (United Kingdom, Alpha), B.1.351 (South Africa, Beta), and P1-501Y-V3 (Brazil, Gamma). We demonstrate that the Q677H mutation increases viral infectivity and syncytium formation, as well as enhancing resistance to neutralization for VOCs, including B.1.1.7 and P1-501Y-V3. Our work highlights the importance of epistatic interactions between SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations and the continued need to monitor Q677H-bearing VOCs.
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