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Yao Z, Zhang L, Duan Y, Tang X, Lu J. Molecular insights into the adaptive evolution of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. J Infect 2024; 88:106121. [PMID: 38367704 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has substantially damaged the global economy and human health. The spike (S) protein of coronaviruses plays a pivotal role in viral entry by binding to host cell receptors. Additionally, it acts as the primary target for neutralizing antibodies in those infected and is the central focus for currently utilized or researched vaccines. During the virus's adaptation to the human host, the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 has undergone significant evolution. As the COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded, new mutations have arisen and vanished, giving rise to distinctive amino acid profiles within variant of concern strains of SARS-CoV-2. Notably, many of these changes in the S protein have been positively selected, leading to substantial alterations in viral characteristics, such as heightened transmissibility and immune evasion capabilities. This review aims to provide an overview of our current understanding of the structural implications associated with key amino acid changes in the S protein of SARS-CoV-2. These research findings shed light on the intricate and dynamic nature of viral evolution, underscoring the importance of continuous monitoring and analysis of viral genomes. Through these molecular-level investigations, we can attain deeper insights into the virus's adaptive evolution, offering valuable guidance for designing vaccines and developing antiviral drugs to combat the ever-evolving viral threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuocheng Yao
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- College of Fishery, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yuange Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiaolu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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Hu B, Guo H, Si H, Shi Z. Emergence of SARS and COVID-19 and preparedness for the next emerging disease X. Front Med 2024; 18:1-18. [PMID: 38561562 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-024-1066-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are two human Coronavirus diseases emerging in this century, posing tremendous threats to public health and causing great loss to lives and economy. In this review, we retrospect the studies tracing the molecular evolution of SARS-CoV, and we sort out current research findings about the potential ancestor of SARS-CoV-2. Updated knowledge about SARS-CoV-2-like viruses found in wildlife, the animal susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, as well as the interspecies transmission risk of SARS-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoVs) are gathered here. Finally, we discuss the strategies of how to be prepared against future outbreaks of emerging or re-emerging coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Hua Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Haorui Si
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhengli Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Zan F, Zhou Y, Chen T, Chen Y, Mu Z, Qian Z, Ou X. Stabilization of the Metastable Pre-Fusion Conformation of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein through N-Linked Glycosylation of the S2 Subunit. Viruses 2024; 16:223. [PMID: 38399999 PMCID: PMC10891965 DOI: 10.3390/v16020223] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the novel coronavirus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, represents a serious threat to public health. The spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 mediates viral entry into host cells and is heavily glycosylated. In this study, we systemically analyzed the roles of 22 putative N-linked glycans in SARS-CoV-2 S protein expression, membrane fusion, viral entry, and stability. Using the α-glycosidase inhibitors castanospermine and NB-DNJ, we confirmed that disruption of N-linked glycosylation blocked the maturation of the S protein, leading to the impairment of S protein-mediated membrane fusion. Single-amino-acid substitution of each of the 22 N-linked glycosylation sites with glutamine revealed that 9 out of the 22 N-linked glycosylation sites were critical for S protein folding and maturation. Thus, substitution at these sites resulted in reduced S protein-mediated cell-cell fusion and viral entry. Notably, the N1074Q mutation markedly affected S protein stability and induced significant receptor-independent syncytium (RIS) formation in HEK293T/hACE2-KO cells. Additionally, the removal of the furin cleavage site partially compensated for the instability induced by the N1074Q mutation. Although the corresponding mutation in the SARS-CoV S protein (N1056Q) did not induce RIS in HEK293T cells, the N669Q and N1080Q mutants exhibited increased fusogenic activity and did induce syncytium formation in HEK293T cells. Therefore, N-glycans on the SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 S2 subunits are highly important for maintaining the pre-fusion state of the S protein. This study revealed the critical roles of N-glycans in S protein maturation and stability, information that has implications for the design of vaccines and antiviral strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuwen Zan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China (Y.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Ministry of Education), National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China (Y.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Ministry of Education), National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China
| | - Ting Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China (Y.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Ministry of Education), National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China
| | - Yahan Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China (Y.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Ministry of Education), National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China
| | - Zhixia Mu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China (Y.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Ministry of Education), National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China
| | - Zhaohui Qian
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China (Y.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Ministry of Education), National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China
| | - Xiuyuan Ou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China (Y.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Ministry of Education), National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 102629, China
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Jahid MJ, Bowman AS, Nolting JM. SARS-CoV-2 Outbreaks on Mink Farms-A Review of Current Knowledge on Virus Infection, Spread, Spillover, and Containment. Viruses 2024; 16:81. [PMID: 38257781 PMCID: PMC10819236 DOI: 10.3390/v16010081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Many studies have been conducted to explore outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 in farmed mink and their intra-/inter-species spread and spillover to provide data to the scientific community, protecting human and animal health. Studies report anthropozoonotic introduction, which was initially documented in April 2020 in the Netherlands, and subsequent inter-/intra-species spread of SARS-CoV-2 in farmed mink, likely due to SARS-CoV-2 host tropism capable of establishing efficient interactions with host ACE2 and the mink hosts' ability to enhance swift viral transmission due to their density, housing status, and occupational contacts. Despite the rigorous prevention and control measures adopted, transmission of the virus within and between animal species was efficient, resulting in the development of mink-associated strains able to jump back and forth among the mink hosts and other animal/human contacts. Current knowledge recognizes the mink as a highly susceptible animal host harboring the virus with or without clinical manifestations, furthering infection transmission as a hidden animal reservoir. A One Health approach is, thus, recommended in SARS-CoV-2 surveillance and monitoring on mink farms and of their susceptible contact animals to identify and better understand these potential animal hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jacqueline M. Nolting
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (M.J.J.); (A.S.B.)
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