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Samsudin F, Zuzic L, Marzinek JK, Bond PJ. Mechanisms of allostery at the viral surface through the eyes of molecular simulation. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2024; 84:102761. [PMID: 38142635 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
The outermost surface layer of any virus is formed by either a capsid shell or envelope. Such layers have traditionally been thought of as immovable structures, but it is becoming apparent that they cannot be viewed exclusively as static architectures protecting the viral genome. A limited number of proteins on the virion surface must perform a multitude of functions in order to orchestrate the viral life cycle, and allostery can regulate their structures at multiple levels of organization, spanning individual molecules, protomers, large oligomeric assemblies, or entire viral surfaces. Here, we review recent contributions from the molecular simulation field to viral surface allostery, with a particular focus on the trimeric spike glycoprotein emerging from the coronavirus surface, and the icosahedral flaviviral envelope complex. As emerging viral pathogens continue to pose a global threat, an improved understanding of viral dynamics and allosteric regulation will prove crucial in developing novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firdaus Samsudin
- Bioinformatics Institute (A∗STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, 07-01 Matrix, 138671, Singapore
| | - Lorena Zuzic
- Department of Chemistry, Langelandsgade 140, Aarhus University, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
| | - Jan K Marzinek
- Bioinformatics Institute (A∗STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, 07-01 Matrix, 138671, Singapore
| | - Peter J Bond
- Bioinformatics Institute (A∗STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, 07-01 Matrix, 138671, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, 16 Science Drive 4, National University of Singapore, 117558, Singapore.
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Zuzic L, Marzinek JK, Anand GS, Warwicker J, Bond PJ. A pH-dependent cluster of charges in a conserved cryptic pocket on flaviviral envelopes. eLife 2023; 12:82447. [PMID: 37144875 PMCID: PMC10162804 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are enveloped viruses which include human pathogens that are predominantly transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks. Some, such as dengue virus, exhibit the phenomenon of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of disease, making vaccine-based routes of fighting infections problematic. The pH-dependent conformational change of the envelope (E) protein required for fusion between the viral and endosomal membranes is an attractive point of inhibition by antivirals as it has the potential to diminish the effects of ADE. We examined six flaviviruses by employing large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of raft systems that represent a substantial portion of the flaviviral envelope. We utilised a benzene-mapping approach that led to a discovery of shared hotspots and conserved cryptic sites. A cryptic pocket previously shown to bind a detergent molecule exhibited strain-specific characteristics. An alternative conserved cryptic site at the E protein domain interfaces showed a consistent dynamic behaviour across flaviviruses and contained a conserved cluster of ionisable residues. Constant-pH simulations revealed cluster and domain-interface disruption under low pH conditions. Based on this, we propose a cluster-dependent mechanism that addresses inconsistencies in the histidine-switch hypothesis and highlights the role of cluster protonation in orchestrating the domain dissociation pivotal for the formation of the fusogenic trimer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Zuzic
- Bioinformatics Institute (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ganesh S Anand
- Department of Biological Sciences, 16 Science Drive 4, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, United States
| | - Jim Warwicker
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Peter J Bond
- Bioinformatics Institute (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, 16 Science Drive 4, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Zuzic L, Samsudin F, Shivgan AT, Raghuvamsi PV, Marzinek JK, Boags A, Pedebos C, Tulsian NK, Warwicker J, MacAry P, Crispin M, Khalid S, Anand GS, Bond PJ. Uncovering cryptic pockets in the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. Structure 2022; 30:1062-1074.e4. [PMID: 35660160 PMCID: PMC9164293 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2022.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a rapid response in vaccine and drug development. Herein, we modeled a complete membrane-embedded SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein and used molecular dynamics simulations with benzene probes designed to enhance discovery of cryptic pockets. This approach recapitulated lipid and host metabolite binding sites previously characterized by cryo-electron microscopy, revealing likely ligand entry routes, and uncovered a novel cryptic pocket with promising druggable properties located underneath the 617-628 loop. A full representation of glycan moieties was essential to accurately describe pocket dynamics. A multi-conformational behavior of the 617-628 loop in simulations was validated using hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry experiments, supportive of opening and closing dynamics. The pocket is the site of multiple mutations associated with increased transmissibility found in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern including Omicron. Collectively, this work highlights the utility of the benzene mapping approach in uncovering potential druggable sites on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Zuzic
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138671, Singapore; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - Firdaus Samsudin
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Aishwary T Shivgan
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Palur V Raghuvamsi
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Jan K Marzinek
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Alister Boags
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138671, Singapore; School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Conrado Pedebos
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Nikhil K Tulsian
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore; Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117546, Singapore
| | - Jim Warwicker
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - Paul MacAry
- Life Sciences Institute, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117546, Singapore
| | - Max Crispin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Syma Khalid
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
| | - Ganesh S Anand
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore; Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Peter J Bond
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138671, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
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Krishna Deepak RNV, Verma RK, Hartono YD, Yew WS, Fan H. Recent Advances in Structure, Function, and Pharmacology of Class A Lipid GPCRs: Opportunities and Challenges for Drug Discovery. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 15:12. [PMID: 35056070 PMCID: PMC8779880 DOI: 10.3390/ph15010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Great progress has been made over the past decade in understanding the structural, functional, and pharmacological diversity of lipid GPCRs. From the first determination of the crystal structure of bovine rhodopsin in 2000, much progress has been made in the field of GPCR structural biology. The extraordinary progress in structural biology and pharmacology of GPCRs, coupled with rapid advances in computational approaches to study receptor dynamics and receptor-ligand interactions, has broadened our comprehension of the structural and functional facets of the receptor family members and has helped usher in a modern age of structure-based drug design and development. First, we provide a primer on lipid mediators and lipid GPCRs and their role in physiology and diseases as well as their value as drug targets. Second, we summarize the current advancements in the understanding of structural features of lipid GPCRs, such as the structural variation of their extracellular domains, diversity of their orthosteric and allosteric ligand binding sites, and molecular mechanisms of ligand binding. Third, we close by collating the emerging paradigms and opportunities in targeting lipid GPCRs, including a brief discussion on current strategies, challenges, and the future outlook.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. N. V. Krishna Deepak
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix #07-01, Singapore 138671, Singapore; (R.K.V.); (Y.D.H.)
| | - Ravi Kumar Verma
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix #07-01, Singapore 138671, Singapore; (R.K.V.); (Y.D.H.)
| | - Yossa Dwi Hartono
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix #07-01, Singapore 138671, Singapore; (R.K.V.); (Y.D.H.)
- Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Wen Shan Yew
- Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Hao Fan
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix #07-01, Singapore 138671, Singapore; (R.K.V.); (Y.D.H.)
- Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
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