1
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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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2
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Samanta P, Mishra SK, Pomin VH, Doerksen RJ. Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulations Clarify Binding Sites for Interactions of Novel Marine Sulfated Glycans with SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein. Molecules 2023; 28:6413. [PMID: 37687244 PMCID: PMC10490367 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28176413] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the host cell is mediated by its S-glycoprotein (SGP). Sulfated glycans bind to the SGP receptor-binding domain (RBD), which forms a ternary complex with its receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2. Here, we have conducted a thorough and systematic computational study of the binding of four oligosaccharide building blocks from novel marine sulfated glycans (isolated from Pentacta pygmaea and Isostichopus badionotus) to the non-glycosylated and glycosylated RBD. Blind docking studies using three docking programs identified five potential cryptic binding sites. Extensive site-targeted docking and molecular dynamics simulations using two force fields confirmed only two binding sites (Sites 1 and 5) for these novel, highly charged sulfated glycans, which were also confirmed by previously published reports. This work showed the structural features and key interactions driving ligand binding. A previous study predicted Site 2 to be a potential binding site, which was not observed here. The use of several molecular modeling approaches gave a comprehensive assessment. The detailed comparative study utilizing multiple modeling approaches is the first of its kind for novel glycan-SGP interaction characterization. This study provided insights into the key structural features of these novel glycans as they are considered for development as potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Samanta
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-1848, USA; (P.S.); (S.K.M.); (V.H.P.)
| | - Sushil K. Mishra
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-1848, USA; (P.S.); (S.K.M.); (V.H.P.)
| | - Vitor H. Pomin
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-1848, USA; (P.S.); (S.K.M.); (V.H.P.)
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Robert J. Doerksen
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-1848, USA; (P.S.); (S.K.M.); (V.H.P.)
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
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3
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Roytenberg R, García-Sastre A, Li W. Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia: what do we know hitherto? Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1155727. [PMID: 37261122 PMCID: PMC10227460 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1155727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), also known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, is a catastrophic and life-threatening reaction to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, which occurs disproportionately in response to vaccination with non-replicating adenovirus vector (AV) vaccines. The mechanism of VITT is not well defined and it has not been resolved why cases of VITT are predominated by vaccination with AV vaccines. However, virtually all VITT patients have positive platelet-activating anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibody titers. Subsequently, platelets are activated and depleted in an Fcγ-receptor IIa (FcγRIIa or CD32a)-dependent manner, but it is not clear why or how the anti-PF4 response is mounted. This review describes the pathogenesis of VITT and provides insight into possible mechanisms that prompt the formation of a PF4/polyanion complex, which drives VITT pathology, as an amalgam of current experimental data or hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renat Roytenberg
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Adolfo García-Sastre
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
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4
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Sun L, Chopra P, Tomris I, van der Woude R, Liu L, de Vries RP, Boons GJ. Well-Defined Heparin Mimetics Can Inhibit Binding of the Trimeric Spike of SARS-CoV-2 in a Length-Dependent Manner. JACS AU 2023; 3:1185-1195. [PMID: 37101566 PMCID: PMC10089289 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants and the dangers of long-covid necessitate the development of broad-acting therapeutics that can reduce viral burden. SARS-CoV-2 employs heparan sulfate (HS) as an initial cellular attachment factor, and therefore, there is interest in developing heparin as a therapeutic for SARS-CoV-2. Its use is, however, complicated by structural heterogeneity and the risk of causing bleeding and thrombocytopenia. Here, we describe the preparation of well-defined heparin mimetics by a controlled head-to-tail assembly of HS oligosaccharides having an alkyne or azide moiety by copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). Alkyne- and azide-containing sulfated oligosaccharides were prepared from a common precursor by modifying an anomeric linker with 4-pentynoic acid and by enzymatic extension with an N-acetyl-glucosamine having an azide moiety at C-6 (GlcNAc6N3), respectively, followed by CuAAC. The process of enzymatic extension with GlcNAc6N3 followed by CuAAC with the desired alkyne-containing oligosaccharides could be repeated to give compounds composed of 20 and 27 monosaccharides, respectively. The heparin mimetics could inhibit the binding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike or RBD to immobilized heparin or to Vero E6 cells. The inhibitory potency increased with increasing chain length, and a compound composed of four sulfated hexasaccharides linked by triazoles had a similar potency as unfractionated heparin. Sequence analysis and HS microarray binding studies with a wide range of RBDs of variants of concern indicate that they have maintained HS-binding capabilities and selectivities. The heparin mimetics exhibit no or reduced binding to antithrombin-III and platelet factor 4, respectively, which are associated with side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifeng Sun
- Department
of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pradeep Chopra
- Complex
Carbohydrate Research Center, The University
of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Ilhan Tomris
- Department
of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roosmarijn van der Woude
- Department
of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lin Liu
- Complex
Carbohydrate Research Center, The University
of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Robert P. de Vries
- Department
of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan Boons
- Department
of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Complex
Carbohydrate Research Center, The University
of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
- Bijvoet
Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht
University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Chemistry
Department, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
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5
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Kim SH, Kearns FL, Rosenfeld MA, Votapka L, Casalino L, Papanikolas M, Amaro RE, Freeman R. SARS-CoV-2 evolved variants optimize binding to cellular glycocalyx. CELL REPORTS. PHYSICAL SCIENCE 2023; 4:101346. [PMID: 37077408 PMCID: PMC10080732 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2023.101346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Viral variants of concern continue to arise for SARS-CoV-2, potentially impacting both methods for detection and mechanisms of action. Here, we investigate the effect of an evolving spike positive charge in SARS-CoV-2 variants and subsequent interactions with heparan sulfate and the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the glycocalyx. We show that the positively charged Omicron variant evolved enhanced binding rates to the negatively charged glycocalyx. Moreover, we discover that while the Omicron spike-ACE2 affinity is comparable to that of the Delta variant, the Omicron spike interactions with heparan sulfate are significantly enhanced, giving rise to a ternary complex of spike-heparan sulfate-ACE2 with a large proportion of double-bound and triple-bound ACE2. Our findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 variants evolve to be more dependent on heparan sulfate in viral attachment and infection. This discovery enables us to engineer a second-generation lateral-flow test strip that harnesses both heparin and ACE2 to reliably detect all variants of concern, including Omicron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Hoon Kim
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, 1112 Murray Hall, CB#3050, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-2100, USA
| | - Fiona L Kearns
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 4238 Urey Hall, MC-0340, La Jolla, CA 92093-0340, USA
| | - Mia A Rosenfeld
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 4238 Urey Hall, MC-0340, La Jolla, CA 92093-0340, USA
| | - Lane Votapka
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 4238 Urey Hall, MC-0340, La Jolla, CA 92093-0340, USA
| | - Lorenzo Casalino
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 4238 Urey Hall, MC-0340, La Jolla, CA 92093-0340, USA
| | - Micah Papanikolas
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, 1112 Murray Hall, CB#3050, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-2100, USA
| | - Rommie E Amaro
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 4238 Urey Hall, MC-0340, La Jolla, CA 92093-0340, USA
| | - Ronit Freeman
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, 1112 Murray Hall, CB#3050, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-2100, USA
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6
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Perez S, Makshakova O, Angulo J, Bedini E, Bisio A, de Paz JL, Fadda E, Guerrini M, Hricovini M, Hricovini M, Lisacek F, Nieto PM, Pagel K, Paiardi G, Richter R, Samsonov SA, Vivès RR, Nikitovic D, Ricard Blum S. Glycosaminoglycans: What Remains To Be Deciphered? JACS AU 2023; 3:628-656. [PMID: 37006755 PMCID: PMC10052243 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.2c00569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are complex polysaccharides exhibiting a vast structural diversity and fulfilling various functions mediated by thousands of interactions in the extracellular matrix, at the cell surface, and within the cells where they have been detected in the nucleus. It is known that the chemical groups attached to GAGs and GAG conformations comprise "glycocodes" that are not yet fully deciphered. The molecular context also matters for GAG structures and functions, and the influence of the structure and functions of the proteoglycan core proteins on sulfated GAGs and vice versa warrants further investigation. The lack of dedicated bioinformatic tools for mining GAG data sets contributes to a partial characterization of the structural and functional landscape and interactions of GAGs. These pending issues will benefit from the development of new approaches reviewed here, namely (i) the synthesis of GAG oligosaccharides to build large and diverse GAG libraries, (ii) GAG analysis and sequencing by mass spectrometry (e.g., ion mobility-mass spectrometry), gas-phase infrared spectroscopy, recognition tunnelling nanopores, and molecular modeling to identify bioactive GAG sequences, biophysical methods to investigate binding interfaces, and to expand our knowledge and understanding of glycocodes governing GAG molecular recognition, and (iii) artificial intelligence for in-depth investigation of GAGomic data sets and their integration with proteomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serge Perez
- Centre
de Recherche sur les Macromolecules, Vegetales,
University of Grenoble-Alpes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Grenoble F-38041 France
| | - Olga Makshakova
- FRC
Kazan Scientific Center of Russian Academy of Sciences, Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Kazan 420111, Russia
| | - Jesus Angulo
- Insituto
de Investigaciones Quimicas, CIC Cartuja, CSIC and Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, SP 41092, Spain
| | - Emiliano Bedini
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Naples,I-80126, Italy
| | - Antonella Bisio
- Istituto
di Richerche Chimiche e Biochimiche, G. Ronzoni, Milan I-20133, Italy
| | - Jose Luis de Paz
- Insituto
de Investigaciones Quimicas, CIC Cartuja, CSIC and Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, SP 41092, Spain
| | - Elisa Fadda
- Department
of Chemistry and Hamilton Institute, Maynooth
University, Maynooth W23 F2H6, Ireland
| | - Marco Guerrini
- Istituto
di Richerche Chimiche e Biochimiche, G. Ronzoni, Milan I-20133, Italy
| | - Michal Hricovini
- Institute
of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava SK-845 38, Slovakia
| | - Milos Hricovini
- Institute
of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava SK-845 38, Slovakia
| | - Frederique Lisacek
- Computer
Science Department & Section of Biology, University of Geneva & Swiss Institue of Bioinformatics, Geneva CH-1227, Switzerland
| | - Pedro M. Nieto
- Insituto
de Investigaciones Quimicas, CIC Cartuja, CSIC and Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, SP 41092, Spain
| | - Kevin Pagel
- Institut
für Chemie und Biochemie Organische Chemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Giulia Paiardi
- Molecular
and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical
Studies, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69118, Germany
| | - Ralf Richter
- School
of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of
Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences,
Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology and Bragg Centre for
Materials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Sergey A. Samsonov
- Department
of Theoretical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Gdsank 80-309, Poland
| | - Romain R. Vivès
- Univ.
Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, Grenoble F-38044, France
| | - Dragana Nikitovic
- School
of Histology-Embriology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion 71003, Greece
| | - Sylvie Ricard Blum
- University
Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSA Lyon, CPE, Institute of Molecular and Supramolecular Chemistry and Biochemistry,
UMR 5246, Villeurbanne F 69622 Cedex, France
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7
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Hogwood J, Mulloy B, Lever R, Gray E, Page CP. Pharmacology of Heparin and Related Drugs: An Update. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:328-379. [PMID: 36792365 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.122.000684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Heparin has been used extensively as an antithrombotic and anticoagulant for close to 100 years. This anticoagulant activity is attributed mainly to the pentasaccharide sequence, which potentiates the inhibitory action of antithrombin, a major inhibitor of the coagulation cascade. More recently it has been elucidated that heparin exhibits anti-inflammatory effect via interference of the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps and this may also contribute to heparin's antithrombotic activity. This illustrates that heparin interacts with a broad range of biomolecules, exerting both anticoagulant and nonanticoagulant actions. Since our previous review, there has been an increased interest in these nonanticoagulant effects of heparin, with the beneficial role in patients infected with SARS2-coronavirus a highly topical example. This article provides an update on our previous review with more recent developments and observations made for these novel uses of heparin and an overview of the development status of heparin-based drugs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This state-of-the-art review covers recent developments in the use of heparin and heparin-like materials as anticoagulant, now including immunothrombosis observations, and as nonanticoagulant including a role in the treatment of SARS-coronavirus and inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Hogwood
- Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom (B.M., E.G., C.P.P.); National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom (J.H., E.G.) and School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, United Kingdom (R.L.)
| | - Barbara Mulloy
- Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom (B.M., E.G., C.P.P.); National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom (J.H., E.G.) and School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, United Kingdom (R.L.)
| | - Rebeca Lever
- Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom (B.M., E.G., C.P.P.); National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom (J.H., E.G.) and School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, United Kingdom (R.L.)
| | - Elaine Gray
- Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom (B.M., E.G., C.P.P.); National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom (J.H., E.G.) and School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, United Kingdom (R.L.)
| | - Clive P Page
- Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom (B.M., E.G., C.P.P.); National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom (J.H., E.G.) and School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, United Kingdom (R.L.)
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8
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Eilts F, Bauer S, Fraser K, Dordick JS, Wolff MW, Linhardt RJ, Zhang F. The diverse role of heparan sulfate and other GAGs in SARS-CoV-2 infections and therapeutics. Carbohydr Polym 2023; 299:120167. [PMID: 36876764 PMCID: PMC9516881 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.120167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In December 2019, the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began in Wuhan, China. COVID-19 is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which infects host cells primarily through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. In addition to ACE2, several studies have shown the importance of heparan sulfate (HS) on the host cell surface as a co-receptor for SARS-CoV-2-binding. This insight has driven research into antiviral therapies, aimed at inhibiting the HS co-receptor-binding, e.g., by glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), a family of sulfated polysaccharides that includes HS. Several GAGs, such as heparin (a highly sulfated analog of HS), are used to treat various health indications, including COVID-19. This review is focused on current research on the involvement of HS in SARS-CoV-2 infection, implications of viral mutations, as well as the use of GAGs and other sulfated polysaccharides as antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Eilts
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA; Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen (THM), Giessen, Germany
| | - Sarah Bauer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Keith Fraser
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan S Dordick
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Michael W Wolff
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen (THM), Giessen, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Giessen, Germany
| | - Robert J Linhardt
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.
| | - Fuming Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.
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9
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Lam SD, Waman VP, Fraternali F, Orengo C, Lees J. Structural and energetic analyses of SARS-CoV-2 N-terminal domain characterise sugar binding pockets and suggest putative impacts of variants on COVID-19 transmission. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:6302-6316. [PMID: 36408455 PMCID: PMC9639386 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.11.004] [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: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 is an ongoing pandemic that causes significant health/socioeconomic burden. Variants of concern (VOCs) have emerged affecting transmissibility, disease severity and re-infection risk. Studies suggest that the - N-terminal domain (NTD) of the spike protein may have a role in facilitating virus entry via sialic-acid receptor binding. Furthermore, most VOCs include novel NTD variants. Despite global sequence and structure similarity, most sialic-acid binding pockets in NTD vary across coronaviruses. Our work suggests ongoing evolutionary tuning of the sugar-binding pockets and recent analyses have shown that NTD insertions in VOCs tend to lie close to loops. We extended the structural characterisation of these sugar-binding pockets and explored whether variants could enhance sialic acid-binding. We found that recent NTD insertions in VOCs (i.e., Gamma, Delta and Omicron variants) and emerging variants of interest (VOIs) (i.e., Iota, Lambda and Theta variants) frequently lie close to sugar-binding pockets. For some variants, including the recent Omicron VOC, we find increases in predicted sialic acid-binding energy, compared to the original SARS-CoV-2, which may contribute to increased transmission. These binding observations are supported by molecular dynamics simulations (MD). We examined the similarity of NTD across Betacoronaviruses to determine whether the sugar-binding pockets are sufficiently similar to be exploited in drug design. Whilst most pockets are too structurally variable, we detected a previously unknown highly structurally conserved pocket which can be investigated in pursuit of a generic pan-Betacoronavirus drug. Our structure-based analyses help rationalise the effects of VOCs and provide hypotheses for experiments. Our findings suggest a strong need for experimental monitoring of changes in NTD of VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Datt Lam
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Vaishali P. Waman
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Franca Fraternali
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christine Orengo
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Lees
- Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical University, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
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10
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Kearns FL, Sandoval DR, Casalino L, Clausen TM, Rosenfeld MA, Spliid CB, Amaro RE, Esko JD. Spike-heparan sulfate interactions in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 76:102439. [PMID: 35926454 PMCID: PMC9257145 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Recent biochemical, biophysical, and genetic studies have shown that heparan sulfate, a major component of the cellular glycocalyx, participates in infection of SARS-CoV-2 by facilitating the so-called open conformation of the spike protein, which is required for binding to ACE2. This review highlights the involvement of heparan sulfate in the SARS-CoV-2 infection cycle and argues that there is a high degree of coordination between host cell heparan sulfate and asparagine-linked glycans on the spike in enabling ACE2 binding and subsequent infection. The discovery that spike protein binding and infection depends on both viral and host glycans provides insights into the evolution, spread and potential therapies for SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona L Kearns
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. https://twitter.com/fiona_chembot
| | - Daniel R Sandoval
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Lorenzo Casalino
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. https://twitter.com/LCasalino88
| | - Thomas M Clausen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Mia A Rosenfeld
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. https://twitter.com/mia_rosenfeld
| | - Charlotte B Spliid
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Rommie E Amaro
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. https://twitter.com/RommieAmaro
| | - Jeffrey D Esko
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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11
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Parafioriti M, Ni M, Petitou M, Mycroft-West CJ, Rudd TR, Gandhi NS, Ferro V, Turnbull JE, Lima MA, Skidmore MA, Fernig DG, Yates EA, Bisio A, Guerrini M, Elli S. Evidence for Multiple Binding Modes in the Initial Contact Between SARS-CoV-2 Spike S1 Protein and Cell Surface Glycans. Chemistry 2022; 29:e202202599. [PMID: 36134621 PMCID: PMC9537976 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202202599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Infection of host cells by SARS-CoV-2 begins with recognition by the virus S (spike) protein of cell surface heparan sulfate (HS), tethering the virus to the extracellular matrix environment, and causing the subunit S1-RBD to undergo a conformational change into the 'open' conformation. These two events promote the binding of S1-RBD to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, a preliminary step toward viral-cell membrane fusion. Combining ligand-based NMR spectroscopy with molecular dynamics, oligosaccharide analogues were used to explore the interactions between S1-RBD of SARS CoV-2 and HS, revealing several low-specificity binding modes and previously unidentified potential sites for the binding of extended HS polysaccharide chains. The evidence for multiple binding modes also suggest that highly specific inhibitors will not be optimal against protein S but, rather, diverse HS-based structures, characterized by high affinity and including multi-valent compounds, may be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Parafioriti
- Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche 'G. Ronzoni'NMR and carbohydratesvia Giuseppe Colombo 8120133MilanoITALY
| | - Minghong Ni
- Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche 'G. Ronzoni'Organic Chemistryvia Giuseppe Colombo 8120133MilanoITALY
| | - Maurice Petitou
- Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche 'G Ronzoni'Organic chemistryvia Giuseppe Colombo 8120133MilanoITALY
| | | | - Timothy R. Rudd
- National Institute for Biological Standards and ControlAnalytical and Biological Sciences DivisionPotters Bar, Hertfordshire, United KingdomPotters Bar, HertfordshireUNITED KINGDOM
| | - Neha S. Gandhi
- Queensland University of Technology Institute of Health and Biomedical InnovationSchool of Chemistry and Physics2 George StBrisbaneAUSTRALIA
| | - Vito Ferro
- The University of Queensland School of Chemistry and Molecular BiosciencesSchool of Chemistry and Molecular BiosciencesBrisbaneAUSTRALIA
| | - Jeremy E. Turnbull
- University of Liverpool Institute of Integrative BiologyInstitute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative BiologyCrown StreetL69 7ZBLiverpoolUNITED KINGDOM
| | - Marcelo A. Lima
- Keele University School of Life SciencesCentre for GlycoscienceHuxley Building 203ST5 5BGNewcastle-Under-LymeUNITED KINGDOM
| | - Mark A. Skidmore
- Keele University School of Life SciencesCentre for GlycoscienceHuxley Building 174ST5 5BGNewcastle-Under-LymeUNITED KINGDOM
| | - David G. Fernig
- University of Liverpool Institute of Integrative BiologyInstitute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative BiologyCrown StreetL69 7BELiverpoolUNITED KINGDOM
| | - Edwin A. Yates
- University of Liverpool Institute of Integrative BiologyDepartment of Biochemistry and Systems BiologyCrown StreetL69 7ZBLiverpoolUNITED KINGDOM
| | - Antonella Bisio
- Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche 'G. Ronzoni'Biochemistry and molecular biologyvia Giuseppe Colombo 8120133MilanoITALY
| | - Marco Guerrini
- Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche 'G. Ronzoni'NMR and Carbohydratevia Giuseppe Colombo 8120133MilanoITALY
| | - Stefano Elli
- Istituto di ricerche chimiche e biochimiche G Ronzoni (Milano)NMR and Carbohydratesvia Giuseppe Colombo 8120133MilanoITALY
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12
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Hoffmann M, Snyder NL, Hartmann L. Polymers Inspired by Heparin and Heparan Sulfate for Viral Targeting. Macromolecules 2022; 55:7957-7973. [PMID: 36186574 PMCID: PMC9520969 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Hoffmann
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nicole L. Snyder
- Department of Chemistry, Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina 28035, United States
| | - Laura Hartmann
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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13
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Liu XH, Cheng T, Liu BY, Chi J, Shu T, Wang T. Structures of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein and applications for novel drug development. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:955648. [PMID: 36016554 PMCID: PMC9395726 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.955648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has raised a health crisis worldwide. The high morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19 and the lack of effective drugs or vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 emphasize the urgent need for standard treatment and prophylaxis of COVID-19. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the glycosylated spike protein (S protein) is capable of binding to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) and initiating membrane fusion and virus entry. Hence, it is rational to inhibit the RBD activity of the S protein by blocking the RBD interaction with hACE2, which makes the glycosylated S protein a potential target for designing and developing antiviral agents. In this study, the molecular features of the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 are highlighted, such as the structures, functions, and interactions of the S protein and ACE2. Additionally, computational tools developed for the treatment of COVID-19 are provided, for example, algorithms, databases, and relevant programs. Finally, recent advances in the novel development of antivirals against the S protein are summarized, including screening of natural products, drug repurposing and rational design. This study is expected to provide novel insights for the efficient discovery of promising drug candidates against the S protein and contribute to the development of broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus drugs to fight against SARS-CoV-2.
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14
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Hudák A, Morgan G, Bacovsky J, Patai R, Polgár TF, Letoha A, Pettko-Szandtner A, Vizler C, Szilák L, Letoha T. Biodistribution and Cellular Internalization of Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 in Wild-Type Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147609. [PMID: 35886958 PMCID: PMC9316427 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the growing list of identified SARS-CoV-2 receptors, the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is still viewed as the main cell entry receptor mediating SARS-CoV-2 internalization. It has been reported that wild-type mice, like other rodent species of the Muridae family, cannot be infected with SARS-CoV-2 due to differences in their ACE2 receptors. On the other hand, the consensus heparin-binding motif of SARS-CoV-2’s spike protein, PRRAR, enables the attachment to rodent heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), including syndecans, a transmembrane HSPG family with a well-established role in clathrin- and caveolin-independent endocytosis. As mammalian syndecans possess a relatively conserved structure, we analyzed the cellular uptake of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 particles in in vitro and in vivo mice models. Cellular studies revealed efficient uptake into murine cell lines with established syndecan-4 expression. After intravenous administration, inactivated SARS-CoV-2 was taken up by several organs in vivo and could also be detected in the brain. Internalized by various tissues, inactivated SARS-CoV-2 raised tissue TNF-α levels, especially in the heart, reflecting the onset of inflammation. Our studies on in vitro and in vivo mice models thus shed light on unknown details of SARS-CoV-2 internalization and help broaden the understanding of the molecular interactions of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anett Hudák
- Pharmacoidea Ltd., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (A.H.); (L.S.)
| | | | | | - Roland Patai
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (R.P.); (T.F.P.)
| | - Tamás F. Polgár
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (R.P.); (T.F.P.)
- Theoretical Medicine Doctoral School, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Annamária Letoha
- Department of Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary;
| | | | - Csaba Vizler
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - László Szilák
- Pharmacoidea Ltd., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (A.H.); (L.S.)
| | - Tamás Letoha
- Pharmacoidea Ltd., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary; (A.H.); (L.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-30-2577393
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15
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Abstract
Glycoscience assembles all the scientific disciplines involved in studying various molecules and macromolecules containing carbohydrates and complex glycans. Such an ensemble involves one of the most extensive sets of molecules in quantity and occurrence since they occur in all microorganisms and higher organisms. Once the compositions and sequences of these molecules are established, the determination of their three-dimensional structural and dynamical features is a step toward understanding the molecular basis underlying their properties and functions. The range of the relevant computational methods capable of addressing such issues is anchored by the specificity of stereoelectronic effects from quantum chemistry to mesoscale modeling throughout molecular dynamics and mechanics and coarse-grained and docking calculations. The Review leads the reader through the detailed presentations of the applications of computational modeling. The illustrations cover carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions, glycolipids, and N- and O-linked glycans, emphasizing their role in SARS-CoV-2. The presentation continues with the structure of polysaccharides in solution and solid-state and lipopolysaccharides in membranes. The full range of protein-carbohydrate interactions is presented, as exemplified by carbohydrate-active enzymes, transporters, lectins, antibodies, and glycosaminoglycan binding proteins. A final section features a list of 150 tools and databases to help address the many issues of structural glycobioinformatics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serge Perez
- Centre de Recherche sur les Macromolecules Vegetales, University of Grenoble-Alpes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Grenoble F-38041, France
| | - Olga Makshakova
- FRC Kazan Scientific Center of Russian Academy of Sciences, Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Kazan 420111, Russia
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16
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Drost CC, Rovas A, Osiaevi I, Rauen M, van der Vlag J, Buijsers B, Salmenov R, Lukasz A, Pavenstädt H, Linke WA, Kümpers P. Heparanase Is a Putative Mediator of Endothelial Glycocalyx Damage in COVID-19 - A Proof-of-Concept Study. Front Immunol 2022; 13:916512. [PMID: 35757776 PMCID: PMC9226442 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.916512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a systemic disease associated with injury (thinning) of the endothelial glycocalyx (eGC), a protective layer on the vascular endothelium. The aim of this translational study was to investigate the role of the eGC-degrading enzyme heparanase (HPSE), which is known to play a central role in the destruction of the eGC in bacterial sepsis. Excess activity of HPSE in plasma from COVID-19 patients correlated with several markers of eGC damage and perfused boundary region (PBR, an inverse estimate of glycocalyx dimensions of vessels with a diameter 4-25 µm). In a series of translational experiments, we demonstrate that the changes in eGC thickness of cultured cells exposed to COVID-19 serum correlated closely with HPSE activity in concordant plasma samples (R = 0.82, P = 0.003). Inhibition of HPSE by a nonanticoagulant heparin fragment prevented eGC injury in response to COVID-19 serum, as shown by atomic force microscopy and immunofluorescence imaging. Our results suggest that the protective effect of heparin in COVID-19 may be due to an eGC-protective off-target effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Christina Drost
- Department of Medicine D, Division of General Internal and Emergency Medicine, Nephrology, and Rheumatology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Alexandros Rovas
- Department of Medicine D, Division of General Internal and Emergency Medicine, Nephrology, and Rheumatology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Irina Osiaevi
- Department of Medicine A, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Matthias Rauen
- Department of Medicine D, Division of General Internal and Emergency Medicine, Nephrology, and Rheumatology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Johan van der Vlag
- Department of Nephrology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Baranca Buijsers
- Department of Nephrology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rustem Salmenov
- Department of Nephrology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Alexander Lukasz
- Department of Medicine D, Division of General Internal and Emergency Medicine, Nephrology, and Rheumatology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Hermann Pavenstädt
- Department of Medicine D, Division of General Internal and Emergency Medicine, Nephrology, and Rheumatology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang A Linke
- Institute of Physiology II, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Philipp Kümpers
- Department of Medicine D, Division of General Internal and Emergency Medicine, Nephrology, and Rheumatology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
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17
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Fadda E. Molecular simulations of complex carbohydrates and glycoconjugates. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 69:102175. [PMID: 35728307 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.102175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Complex carbohydrates (glycans) are the most abundant and versatile biopolymers in nature. The broad diversity of biochemical functions that carbohydrates cover is a direct consequence of the variety of 3D architectures they can adopt, displaying branched or linear arrangements, widely ranging in sizes, and with the highest diversity of building blocks of any other natural biopolymer. Despite this unparalleled complexity, a common denominator can be found in the glycans' inherent flexibility, which hinders experimental characterization, but that can be addressed by high-performance computing (HPC)-based molecular simulations. In this short review, I present and discuss the state-of-the-art of molecular simulations of complex carbohydrates and glycoconjugates, highlighting methodological strengths and weaknesses, important insights through emblematic case studies, and suggesting perspectives for future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Fadda
- Department of Chemistry and Hamilton Institute, Maynooth University, Ireland.
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18
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Caird R, Williamson M, Yusuf A, Gogoi D, Casey M, McElvaney NG, Reeves EP. Targeting of Glycosaminoglycans in Genetic and Inflammatory Airway Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126400. [PMID: 35742845 PMCID: PMC9224208 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In the lung, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are dispersed in the extracellular matrix (ECM) occupying the interstitial space between the capillary endothelium and the alveolar epithelium, in the sub-epithelial tissue and in airway secretions. In addition to playing key structural roles, GAGs contribute to a number of physiologic processes ranging from cell differentiation, cell adhesion and wound healing. Cytokine and chemokine–GAG interactions are also involved in presentation of inflammatory molecules to respective receptors leading to immune cell migration and airway infiltration. More recently, pathophysiological roles of GAGs have been described. This review aims to discuss the biological roles and molecular interactions of GAGs, and their impact in the pathology of chronic airway diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Moreover, the role of GAGs in respiratory disease has been heightened by the current COVID-19 pandemic. This review underlines the essential need for continued research aimed at exploring the contribution of GAGs in the development of inflammation, to provide a better understanding of their biological impact, as well as leads in the development of new therapeutic agents.
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19
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Molecular dynamics simulations to understand glycosaminoglycan interactions in the free- and protein-bound states. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 74:102356. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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20
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Xu C, Wang A, Honnen W, Pinter A, Weston WK, Harness JA, Narayanan A, Chang TL. Brilacidin, a Non-Peptide Defensin-Mimetic Molecule, Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Blocking Viral Entry. EC MICROBIOLOGY 2022; 18:1-12. [PMID: 35695877 PMCID: PMC9186380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Brilacidin (PMX-30063), a non-peptide defensin-mimetic small molecule, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 viral infection but the anti-viral mechanism is not defined. Here we determined its effect on the specific step of the viral life cycle. Brilacidin blocked SARS-CoV-2 infection but had no effect after viral entry. Brilacidin inhibited pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 viruses expressing spike proteins from the P.1 Brazil strain and the B.1.1.7 UK strain. Brilacidin affected viral attachment in hACE2-dependent and independent manners depending on the concentrations. The inhibitory effect on viral entry was not mediated through blocking the binding of either the spike receptor-binding domain or the spike S1 protein to hACE2 proteins. Taken together, brilacidin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection by blocking viral entry and is active against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Xu
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Annie Wang
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - William Honnen
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Abraham Pinter
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Warren K Weston
- Innovation Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Wakefield, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jane A Harness
- Innovation Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Wakefield, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Aarthi Narayanan
- National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases, George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia, USA
| | - Theresa L Chang
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
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21
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Bertini S, Alekseeva A, Elli S, Pagani I, Zanzoni S, Eisele G, Krishnan R, Maag KP, Reiter C, Lenhart D, Gruber R, Yates E, Vicenzi E, Naggi A, Bisio A, Guerrini M. Pentosan polysulfate inhibits attachment and infection by SARS-CoV-2 in vitro: insights into structural requirements for binding. Thromb Haemost 2022; 122:984-997. [PMID: 35322395 PMCID: PMC9252607 DOI: 10.1055/a-1807-0168] [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] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Two years since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) pandemic, there remain few clinically effective drugs to complement vaccines. One is the anticoagulant, heparin, which in 2004 was found able to inhibit invasion of SARS-CoV (CoV-1) and which has been employed during the current pandemic to prevent thromboembolic complications and moderate potentially damaging inflammation. Heparin has also been shown experimentally to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 attachment and infection in susceptible cells. At high therapeutic doses however, heparin increases the risk of bleeding and prolonged use can cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, a serious side effect. One alternative, with structural similarities to heparin, is the plant-derived, semi-synthetic polysaccharide, pentosan polysulfate (PPS). PPS is an established drug for the oral treatment of interstitial cystitis, is well-tolerated, and exhibits weaker anticoagulant effects than heparin. In an established Vero cell model, PPS and its fractions of varying molecular weights inhibited invasion by SARS-CoV-2. Intact PPS and its size-defined fractions were characterized by molecular weight distribution and chemical structure using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, then employed to explore the structural basis of interactions with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (S1 RBD) and the inhibition of Vero cell invasion. PPS was as effective as unfractionated heparin, but more effective in inhibiting cell infection than low-molecular-weight heparin (on a weight/volume basis). Isothermal titration calorimetry and viral plaque-forming assays demonstrated size-dependent binding to S1 RBD and inhibition of Vero cell invasion, suggesting the potential application of PPS as a novel inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Bertini
- Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche G. Ronzoni, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Alekseeva
- Centro Alta Tecnologia Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche G. Ronzoni, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Elli
- Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche G. Ronzoni, Milan, Italy
| | - Isabel Pagani
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Zanzoni
- Centro Piattaforme Tecnologiche, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giorgio Eisele
- Centro Alta Tecnologia Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche G. Ronzoni, Milan, Italy
| | - Ravi Krishnan
- Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Klaus P Maag
- bene pharmaChem GmbH & Co.KG, Geretsried, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Edwin Yates
- Structural and Chemical Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Elisa Vicenzi
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Annamaria Naggi
- Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche G. Ronzoni, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella Bisio
- Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche G. Ronzoni, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Guerrini
- Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche G. Ronzoni, Milan, Italy
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22
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Ling J, Li J, Khan A, Lundkvist Å, Li JP. Is heparan sulfate a target for inhibition of RNA virus infection? Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 322:C605-C613. [PMID: 35196165 PMCID: PMC8977144 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00028.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Heparan sulfate (HS) is a linear polysaccharide attached to a core protein, forming heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) that are ubiquitously expressed on the surface of almost all mammalian cells and the extracellular matrix. HS orchestrates the binding of various signal molecules to their receptors, thus, regulating many biological processes, including homeostasis, metabolism, and various pathological processes. Due to its wide distribution and negatively charged properties, HS is exploited by many viruses as a co-factor to attach to host cells. Therefore, inhibition of the interaction between virus and HS is proposed as a promising approach to mitigate viral infection, including SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we summarize the interaction manners of HS with viruses with focus on significant pathogenic RNA viruses, including alphaviruses, flaviviruses, and coronaviruses. We also provide an overview of the challenges we may face when using HS-mimetics as antivirals for clinical treatment. More studies are needed to provide a further understanding of the interplay between HS and viruses both in vitro and in vivo, which will favor the development of specific antiviral inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Ling
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology & The Biomedical Center; Zoonosis Science Center, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.,Zoonosis Science Center, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jinlin Li
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology & The Biomedical Center; Zoonosis Science Center, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Asifa Khan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology & The Biomedical Center; Zoonosis Science Center, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Åke Lundkvist
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology & The Biomedical Center; Zoonosis Science Center, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.,Zoonosis Science Center, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jin-Ping Li
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology & The Biomedical Center; Zoonosis Science Center, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.,SciLifeLab Uppsala, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
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23
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Kim SH, Kearns FL, Rosenfeld MA, Casalino L, Papanikolas MJ, Simmerling C, Amaro RE, Freeman R. GlycoGrip: Cell Surface-Inspired Universal Sensor for Betacoronaviruses. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2022; 8:22-42. [PMID: 35106370 PMCID: PMC8796303 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c01080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Inspired by the role of cell-surface glycoproteins as coreceptors for pathogens, we report the development of GlycoGrip: a glycopolymer-based lateral flow assay for detecting SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. GlycoGrip utilizes glycopolymers for primary capture and antispike antibodies labeled with gold nanoparticles for signal-generating detection. A lock-step integration between experiment and computation has enabled efficient optimization of GlycoGrip test strips which can selectively, sensitively, and rapidly detect SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in biofluids. Employing the power of the glycocalyx in a diagnostic assay has distinct advantages over conventional immunoassays as glycopolymers can bind to antigens in a multivalent capacity and are highly adaptable for mutated strains. As new variants of SARS-CoV-2 are identified, GlycoGrip will serve as a highly reconfigurable biosensor for their detection. Additionally, via extensive ensemble-based docking simulations which incorporate protein and glycan motion, we have elucidated important clues as to how heparan sulfate and other glycocalyx components may bind the spike glycoprotein during SARS-CoV-2 host-cell infection. GlycoGrip is a promising and generalizable alternative to costly, labor-intensive RT-PCR, and we envision it will be broadly useful, including for rural or low-income populations that are historically undertested and under-reported in infection statistics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Hoon Kim
- University
of North Carolina−Chapel Hill, Department of Applied Physical Sciences, 1112 Murray Hall, CB#3050, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-2100, United States
| | - Fiona L. Kearns
- University
of California−San Diego, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 3234 Urey Hall, MC-0340, La Jolla, California 92093-0340, United States
| | - Mia A. Rosenfeld
- University
of California−San Diego, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 3234 Urey Hall, MC-0340, La Jolla, California 92093-0340, United States
| | - Lorenzo Casalino
- University
of California−San Diego, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 3234 Urey Hall, MC-0340, La Jolla, California 92093-0340, United States
| | - Micah J. Papanikolas
- University
of North Carolina−Chapel Hill, Department of Applied Physical Sciences, 1112 Murray Hall, CB#3050, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-2100, United States
| | - Carlos Simmerling
- SUNY
Stony Brook, Department of Chemistry, 537 Chemistry/119 Laufer Center,
100 Nicolls Road, 104 Chemistry, Stony Brook, New York 11790-3400, United States
| | - Rommie E. Amaro
- University
of California−San Diego, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 3234 Urey Hall, MC-0340, La Jolla, California 92093-0340, United States
| | - Ronit Freeman
- University
of North Carolina−Chapel Hill, Department of Applied Physical Sciences, 1112 Murray Hall, CB#3050, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-2100, United States
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24
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Jayaprakash NG, Surolia A. Spike Protein and the Various Cell-Surface Carbohydrates: An Interaction Study. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:103-117. [PMID: 34928574 PMCID: PMC8713392 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been known to gain entry into the host cell through the spike protein that binds to the host ACE2 cell surface protein. However, the role of the putative sugar-binding sites in the spike protein has remained unclear. We provide a comprehensive in silico outlook into the infection initiation wherein the virus first recognizes the sialosides on the cell via its S1A domain of the spike protein as it surfs over the cell surface. This facilitates the subsequent interaction with the cellular glycosaminoglycans through the S1B domain of the spike protein as it binds to the ACE2 receptor. The unique coadaptation to recognize both the host protein and the cell-surface carbohydrate receptors provides an additional coupling mechanism for efficient viral attachment and infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Avadhesha Surolia
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute
of Science, Bangalore-560012, India
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25
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Ennemoser M, Rieger J, Muttenthaler E, Gerlza T, Zatloukal K, Kungl AJ. Enoxaparin and Pentosan Polysulfate Bind to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and Human ACE2 Receptor, Inhibiting Vero Cell Infection. Biomedicines 2021; 10:biomedicines10010049. [PMID: 35052728 PMCID: PMC8772983 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
As with many other pathogens, SARS-CoV-2 cell infection is strongly dependent on the interaction of the virus-surface Spike protein with the glycosaminoglycans of target cells. The SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein was previously shown to interact with cell-surface-exposed heparan sulfate and heparin in vitro. With the aim of using Enoxaparin as a treatment for COVID-19 patients and as prophylaxis to prevent interpersonal viral transmission, we investigated GAG binding to the Spike full-length protein, as well as to its receptor binding domain (RBD) in solution by isothermal fluorescence titration. We found that Enoxaparin bound to both protein variants with similar affinities, compared to the natural GAG ligand heparan sulfate (with Kd-values in the range of 600–680 nM). Using size-defined Enoxaparin fragments, we discovered the optimum binding for dp6 or dp8 for the full-length Spike protein, whereas the RBD did not exhibit a significant chain-length-dependent affinity for heparin oligosaccharides. The soluble ACE2 receptor was found to interact with unfractionated GAGs in the low µM Kd range, but with size-defined heparins with clearly sub-µM Kd-values. Interestingly, the structural heparin analogue, pentosan polysulfate (PPS), exhibited high binding affinities to both Spike variants as well as to the ACE2 receptor. In viral infection experiments, Enoxaparin and PPS both showed a strong inhibition of infection in a concentration range of 50–500 µg/mL. Both compounds were found to retain their inhibitory effects at 500 µg/mL in a natural biomatrix-like human sputum. Our data suggest the early topical treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections with inhaled Enoxaparin; some clinical studies in this direction are already ongoing, and they further imply an oral or nasal prophylactic inactivation of the virus by Enoxaparin or PPS for the prevention of inter-personal viral transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ennemoser
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, A-8010 Graz, Austria; (M.E.); (E.M.); (T.G.)
| | - Julia Rieger
- Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, A-8010 Graz, Austria; (J.R.); (K.Z.)
| | - Eva Muttenthaler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, A-8010 Graz, Austria; (M.E.); (E.M.); (T.G.)
| | - Tanja Gerlza
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, A-8010 Graz, Austria; (M.E.); (E.M.); (T.G.)
| | - Kurt Zatloukal
- Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, A-8010 Graz, Austria; (J.R.); (K.Z.)
| | - Andreas J. Kungl
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, A-8010 Graz, Austria; (M.E.); (E.M.); (T.G.)
- Antagonis Biotherapeutics GmbH, Strasserhofweg 77a, A-8045 Graz, Austria
- Correspondence:
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26
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Escaffre O, Freiberg AN. Polyphenylene carboxymethylene (PPCM) microbicide repurposed as antiviral against SARS-CoV-2. Proof of concept in primary human undifferentiated epithelial cells. Antiviral Res 2021; 194:105162. [PMID: 34384825 PMCID: PMC8349736 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2021.105162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected over 200 million people throughout the world as of August 2021. There are currently no approved treatments providing high chance of recovery from a severe case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2, and the beneficial effect of Remdesivir and passive immunization therapies may only be seen when administered early on disease onset. The emergence of variants is also raising concerns regarding the efficacy of antibody therapies, antivirals, and vaccines. Therefore, there is still a need to develop new antivirals. Here, we investigated the suitability of primary human epithelial cells from the trachea/bronchia (NHBE) and small airway (SAEC) as lung models of SARS-CoV-2 infection to determine, whether the microbicide polyphenylene carboxymethylene (PPCM) has antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Both NHBE and SAEC expressed proteins required for virus entry in lung epithelial cells. However, these cells were only low to moderately permissive to SARS-CoV-2 as titers increased at best by 2.5 log10 during an 8-day kinetic. Levels of replication in SAEC, unlike in NHBE, were consistent with data from other studies using human normal tissues or air-liquid interface cultures, suggesting that SAEC may be more relevant to use than NHBE for drug screening. PPCM EC50 against SARS-CoV-2 was between 32 and 132 μg/ml with a selectivity index between 12 and 41, depending on the cell type and the infective dose used. PPCM doses were consistent with those previously showing effect against other human viruses. Finally, PPCM antiviral effect observed in SAEC was in line with reduction of inflammatory markers observed overly expressed in severe COVID-19 patients. Altogether, our data support the fact that PPCM should be further evaluated in vivo for toxicity and antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Escaffre
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
| | - Alexander N Freiberg
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA; Institute for Human Infections & Immunity and Sealy & Smith Foundation, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
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27
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Dwivedi R, Samanta P, Sharma P, Zhang F, Mishra SK, Kucheryavy P, Kim SB, Aderibigbe AO, Linhardt RJ, Tandon R, Doerksen RJ, Pomin VH. Structural and kinetic analyses of holothurian sulfated glycans suggest potential treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101207. [PMID: 34537241 PMCID: PMC8445769 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Certain sulfated glycans, including those from marine sources, can show potential effects against SARS-CoV-2. Here, a new fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (FucCS) from the sea cucumber Pentacta pygmaea (PpFucCS) (MW ∼10-60 kDa) was isolated and structurally characterized by NMR. PpFucCS is composed of {→3)-β-GalNAcX-(1→4)-β-GlcA-[(3→1)Y]-(1→}, where X = 4S (80%), 6S (10%) or nonsulfated (10%), Y = α-Fuc2,4S (40%), α-Fuc2,4S-(1→4)-α-Fuc (30%), or α-Fuc4S (30%), and S = SO3-. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of PpFucCS and those of the FucCS and sulfated fucan isolated from Isostichopus badionotus (IbFucCS and IbSF) were compared with that of heparin. IC50 values demonstrated the activity of the three holothurian sulfated glycans to be ∼12 times more efficient than heparin, with no cytotoxic effects. The dissociation constant (KD) values obtained by surface plasmon resonance of the wildtype SARS-CoV-2 spike (S)-protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) and N501Y mutant RBD in interactions with the heparin-immobilized sensor chip were 94 and 1.8 × 103 nM, respectively. Competitive surface plasmon resonance inhibition analysis of PpFucCS, IbFucCS, and IbSF against heparin binding to wildtype S-protein showed IC50 values (in the nanomolar range) 6, 25, and 6 times more efficient than heparin, respectively. Data from computational simulations suggest an influence of the sulfation patterns of the Fuc units on hydrogen bonding with GlcA and that conformational change of some of the oligosaccharide structures occurs upon S-protein RBD binding. Compared with heparin, negligible anticoagulant action was observed for IbSF. Our results suggest that IbSF may represent a promising molecule for future investigations against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohini Dwivedi
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, USA
| | - Priyanka Samanta
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, USA
| | - Poonam Sharma
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Fuming Zhang
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Sushil K Mishra
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, USA
| | - Pavel Kucheryavy
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, USA
| | - Seon Beom Kim
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, USA
| | - AyoOluwa O Aderibigbe
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, USA
| | - Robert J Linhardt
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Ritesh Tandon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Robert J Doerksen
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, USA
| | - Vitor H Pomin
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, USA.
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28
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Marcisz M, Maszota-Zieleniak M, Huard B, Samsonov SA. Advanced Molecular Dynamics Approaches to Model a Tertiary Complex APRIL/TACI with Long Glycosaminoglycans. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11091349. [PMID: 34572563 PMCID: PMC8465899 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are linear anionic periodic polysaccharides participating in a number of biologically relevant processes in the extracellular matrix via interactions with their protein targets. Due to their periodicity, conformational flexibility, pseudo-symmetry of the sulfation pattern, and the key role of electrostatics, these molecules are challenging for both experimental and theoretical approaches. In particular, conventional molecular docking applied for GAGs longer than 10-mer experiences severe difficulties. In this work, for the first time, 24- and 48-meric GAGs were docked using all-atomic repulsive-scaling Hamiltonian replica exchange molecular dynamics (RS-REMD), a novel methodology based on replicas with van der Waals radii of interacting molecules being scaled. This approach performed well for proteins complexed with oligomeric GAGs and is independent of their length, which distinguishes it from other molecular docking approaches. We built a model of long GAGs in complex with a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) prebound to its receptors, the B cell maturation antigen and the transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI). Furthermore, the prediction power of the RS-REMD for this tertiary complex was evaluated. We conclude that the TACI–GAG interaction could be potentially amplified by TACI’s binding to APRIL. RS-REMD outperformed Autodock3, the docking program previously proven the best for short GAGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Marcisz
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, ul. Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.M.); (M.M.-Z.)
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of UG and MUG, ul. Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Martyna Maszota-Zieleniak
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, ul. Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.M.); (M.M.-Z.)
| | - Bertrand Huard
- Laboratory TIMC-IMAG, University Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS UMR 5525, 38700 La Tronche, France;
| | - Sergey A. Samsonov
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, ul. Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.M.); (M.M.-Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-58-523-51-66
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29
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Watanabe T, Takeda K, Hiemori K, Minamisawa T, Tateno H. A glycosaminoglycan microarray identifies the binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to chondroitin sulfate E. FEBS Lett 2021; 595:2341-2349. [PMID: 34375459 PMCID: PMC8427098 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Heparan sulfate (HS), a sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG), was reported to be a necessary host attachment factor that promotes SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this study, we developed GAG microarrays based on fluorescence detection for high-sensitivity screening of the GAG-binding specificity of proteins and applied it for the analysis of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. Among the 20 distinct GAGs, the S protein bound not only to heparin (HEP)/HS but also to chondroitin sulfate E (CSE) in a concentration-dependent manner. We then analyzed the specificity of each subunit of the S protein. While the S1 subunit showed exclusive binding to HEP, the S2 subunit also bound to CSE and HEP/HS. CSE might act as an alternative attachment factor for HS in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Watanabe
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ko Takeda
- Central Research Laboratory, Seikagaku Corporation, Higashiyamato-shi, Japan
| | - Keiko Hiemori
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - Hiroaki Tateno
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
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30
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Chhabra M, Doherty GG, See NW, Gandhi NS, Ferro V. From Cancer to COVID-19: A Perspective on Targeting Heparan Sulfate-Protein Interactions. CHEM REC 2021; 21:3087-3101. [PMID: 34145723 PMCID: PMC8441866 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202100125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Heparan sulfate (HS) is a complex, polyanionic polysaccharide ubiquitously expressed on cell surfaces and in the extracellular matrix. HS interacts with numerous proteins to mediate a vast array of biological and pathological processes. Inhibition of HS‐protein interactions is thus an attractive approach for new therapeutic development for cancer and infectious diseases, including COVID‐19; however, synthesis of well‐defined native HS oligosaccharides remains challenging. This has aroused significant interest in the development of HS mimetics which are more synthetically tractable and have fewer side effects, such as undesired anticoagulant activity. This account provides a perspective on the design and synthesis of different classes of HS mimetics with useful properties, and the development of various assays and molecular modelling tools to progress our understanding of their interactions with HS‐binding proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Chhabra
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, 4072, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Gareth G Doherty
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, 4072, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicholas W See
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, 4072, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Neha S Gandhi
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, 4000, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Vito Ferro
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, 4072, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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