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Geanes ES, McLennan R, Pierce SH, Menden HL, Paul O, Sampath V, Bradley T. SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein regulates innate immune tolerance. iScience 2024; 27:109975. [PMID: 38827398 PMCID: PMC11140213 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe COVID-19 often leads to secondary infections and sepsis that contribute to long hospital stays and mortality. However, our understanding of the precise immune mechanisms driving severe complications after SARS-CoV-2 infection remains incompletely understood. Here, we provide evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E) protein initiates innate immune inflammation, via toll-like receptor 2 signaling, and establishes a sustained state of innate immune tolerance following initial activation. Monocytes in this tolerant state exhibit reduced responsiveness to secondary stimuli, releasing lower levels of cytokines and chemokines. Mice exposed to E protein before secondary lipopolysaccharide challenge show diminished pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in the lung, indicating that E protein drives this tolerant state in vivo. These findings highlight the potential of the SARS-CoV-2 E protein to induce innate immune tolerance, contributing to long-term immune dysfunction that could lead to susceptibility to subsequent infections, and uncovers therapeutic targets aimed at restoring immune function following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric S. Geanes
- Genomic Medicine Center, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Rebecca McLennan
- Genomic Medicine Center, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Stephen H. Pierce
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Heather L. Menden
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Oishi Paul
- Genomic Medicine Center, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Venkatesh Sampath
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, MO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri- Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Todd Bradley
- Genomic Medicine Center, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, MO, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri- Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, MO, USA
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2
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Guarnieri JW, Haltom JA, Albrecht YES, Lie T, Olali AZ, Widjaja GA, Ranshing SS, Angelin A, Murdock D, Wallace DC. SARS-CoV-2 mitochondrial metabolic and epigenomic reprogramming in COVID-19. Pharmacol Res 2024; 204:107170. [PMID: 38614374 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
To determine the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on cellular metabolism, we conducted an exhaustive survey of the cellular metabolic pathways modulated by SARS-CoV-2 infection and confirmed their importance for SARS-CoV-2 propagation by cataloging the effects of specific pathway inhibitors. This revealed that SARS-CoV-2 strongly inhibits mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) resulting in increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) production. The elevated mROS stabilizes HIF-1α which redirects carbon molecules from mitochondrial oxidation through glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) to provide substrates for viral biogenesis. mROS also induces the release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) which activates innate immunity. The restructuring of cellular energy metabolism is mediated in part by SARS-CoV-2 Orf8 and Orf10 whose expression restructures nuclear DNA (nDNA) and mtDNA OXPHOS gene expression. These viral proteins likely alter the epigenome, either by directly altering histone modifications or by modulating mitochondrial metabolite substrates of epigenome modification enzymes, potentially silencing OXPHOS gene expression and contributing to long-COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph W Guarnieri
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Haltom
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yentli E Soto Albrecht
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Timothy Lie
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Arnold Z Olali
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Gabrielle A Widjaja
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sujata S Ranshing
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alessia Angelin
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Deborah Murdock
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Douglas C Wallace
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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3
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Rischall A, Olson A. SOHO State of the Art Updates and Next Questions | CTLs for Infections Following Stem Cell Transplantation. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA, MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA 2024; 24:340-347. [PMID: 38267354 DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is an important modality in the treatment of acute leukemia and other hematologic disorders. The post-transplant period is associated with prolonged periods of impaired immune function. Delayed T-cell immune reconstitution is correlated with increased risk of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. This risk increases with high intensity inductions regimens often required for alternative donor sources. Current therapies for prophylaxis and treatment of these infections are limited by poor efficacy and significant toxicity. Adoptive cell therapy with cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) has proven to be both efficacious and safe in the management of post-transplant viral infections. Recent advances have led to faster production of CTLs and broadened applications for their use. In particular, the generation of third party CTLs has helped ameliorate the problems related to donor availability and product generation time. In this review we aim to describe both the history of CTL use and current advances in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Rischall
- Department of Medical Oncology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
| | - Amanda Olson
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
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4
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Yang Y, Li F, Du L. Therapeutic nanobodies against SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogenic human coronaviruses. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:304. [PMID: 38822339 PMCID: PMC11140877 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02573-7] [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: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Nanobodies, single-domain antibodies derived from variable domain of camelid or shark heavy-chain antibodies, have unique properties with small size, strong binding affinity, easy construction in versatile formats, high neutralizing activity, protective efficacy, and manufactural capacity on a large-scale. Nanobodies have been arisen as an effective research tool for development of nanobiotechnologies with a variety of applications. Three highly pathogenic coronaviruses (CoVs), SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV, have caused serious outbreaks or a global pandemic, and continue to post a threat to public health worldwide. The viral spike (S) protein and its cognate receptor-binding domain (RBD), which initiate viral entry and play a critical role in virus pathogenesis, are important therapeutic targets. This review describes pathogenic human CoVs, including viral structures and proteins, and S protein-mediated viral entry process. It also summarizes recent advances in development of nanobodies targeting these CoVs, focusing on those targeting the S protein and RBD. Finally, we discuss potential strategies to improve the efficacy of nanobodies against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and other CoVs with pandemic potential. It will provide important information for rational design and evaluation of therapeutic agents against emerging and reemerging pathogens.
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MESH Headings
- Single-Domain Antibodies/immunology
- Single-Domain Antibodies/pharmacology
- Single-Domain Antibodies/therapeutic use
- Single-Domain Antibodies/chemistry
- Humans
- SARS-CoV-2/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/chemistry
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/metabolism
- Animals
- COVID-19/virology
- COVID-19/immunology
- COVID-19/therapy
- Coronavirus Infections/drug therapy
- Coronavirus Infections/immunology
- Coronavirus Infections/virology
- Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus/immunology
- Virus Internalization/drug effects
- Pandemics
- Betacoronavirus/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/therapeutic use
- Pneumonia, Viral/drug therapy
- Pneumonia, Viral/virology
- Pneumonia, Viral/immunology
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
- Center for Coronavirus Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Lanying Du
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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5
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Pearson GJ, Mears HV, Broncel M, Snijders AP, Bauer DLV, Carlton JG. ER-export and ARFRP1/AP-1-dependent delivery of SARS-CoV-2 Envelope to lysosomes controls late stages of viral replication. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl5012. [PMID: 38569033 PMCID: PMC10990277 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl5012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
The β-coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Coronaviral Envelope (E) proteins are pentameric viroporins that play essential roles in assembly, release, and pathogenesis. We developed a nondisruptive tagging strategy for SARS-CoV-2 E and find that, at steady state, it localizes to the Golgi and to lysosomes. We identify sequences in E, conserved across Coronaviridae, responsible for endoplasmic reticulum-to-Golgi export, and relate this activity to interaction with COP-II via SEC24. Using proximity biotinylation, we identify an ADP ribosylation factor 1/adaptor protein-1 (ARFRP1/AP-1)-dependent pathway allowing Golgi-to-lysosome trafficking of E. We identify sequences in E that bind AP-1, are conserved across β-coronaviruses, and allow E to be trafficked from Golgi to lysosomes. We show that E acts to deacidify lysosomes and, by developing a trans-complementation assay for SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins, that lysosomal delivery of E and its viroporin activity is necessary for efficient viral replication and release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy J. Pearson
- Organelle Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Harriet V. Mears
- RNA Virus Replication Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Malgorzata Broncel
- Proteomic Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Ambrosius P. Snijders
- Proteomic Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - David L. V. Bauer
- RNA Virus Replication Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Jeremy G. Carlton
- Organelle Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 1UL, UK
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Sučec I, Pankratova Y, Parasar M, Hong M. Transmembrane conformation of the envelope protein of an alpha coronavirus, NL63. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4923. [PMID: 38501465 PMCID: PMC10949323 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4923] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
The envelope (E) proteins of coronaviruses (CoVs) form cation-conducting channels that are associated with the pathogenicity of these viruses. To date, high-resolution structural information about these viroporins is limited to the SARS-CoV E protein. To broaden our structural knowledge of other members of this family of viroporins, we now investigate the conformation of the E protein of the human coronavirus (hCoV), NL63. Using two- and three-dimensional magic-angle-spinning NMR, we have measured 13 C and 15 N chemical shifts of the transmembrane domain of E (ETM), which yielded backbone (ϕ, ψ) torsion angles. We further measured the water accessibility of NL63 ETM at neutral pH versus acidic pH in the presence of Ca2+ ions. These data show that NL63 ETM adopts a regular α-helical conformation that is unaffected by pH and the N-terminal ectodomain. Interestingly, the water accessibility of NL63 ETM increases only modestly at acidic pH in the presence of Ca2+ compared to neutral pH, in contrast to SARS ETM, which becomes much more hydrated at acidic pH. This difference suggests a structural basis for the weaker channel conductance of α-CoV compared to β-CoV E proteins. The weaker E channel activity may in turn contribute to the reduced virulence of hCoV-NL63 compared to SARS-CoV viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Sučec
- Department of ChemistryMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Yanina Pankratova
- Department of ChemistryMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Mriganka Parasar
- Department of ChemistryMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Mei Hong
- Department of ChemistryMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
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7
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Cubisino SAM, Milenkovic S, Conti-Nibali S, Musso N, Bonacci P, De Pinto V, Ceccarelli M, Reina S. Electrophysiological properties and structural prediction of the SARS-CoV-2 viroprotein E. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1334819. [PMID: 38606285 PMCID: PMC11007222 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1334819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus SARS- CoV-2, has caused millions of sick people and thousands of deaths all over the world. The viral positive-sense single-stranded RNA encodes 31 proteins among which the spike (S) is undoubtedly the best known. Recently, protein E has been reputed as a potential pharmacological target as well. It is essential for the assembly and release of the virions in the cell. Literature describes protein E as a voltage-dependent channel with preference towards monovalent cations whose intracellular expression, though, alters Ca2+ homeostasis and promotes the activation of the proinflammatory cascades. Due to the extremely high sequence identity of SARS-CoV-2 protein E (E-2) with the previously characterized E-1 (i.e., protein E from SARS-CoV) many data obtained for E-1 were simply adapted to the other. Recent solid state NMR structure revealed that the transmembrane domain (TMD) of E-2 self-assembles into a homo-pentamer, albeit the oligomeric status has not been validated with the full-length protein. Prompted by the lack of a common agreement on the proper structural and functional features of E-2, we investigated the specific mechanism/s of pore-gating and the detailed molecular structure of the most cryptic protein of SARS-CoV-2 by means of MD simulations of the E-2 structure and by expressing, refolding and analyzing the electrophysiological activity of the transmembrane moiety of the protein E-2, in its full length. Our results show a clear agreement between experimental and predictive studies and foresee a mechanism of activity based on Ca2+ affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stefano Conti-Nibali
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Nicolò Musso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonacci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Vito De Pinto
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- We.MitoBiotech S.R.L, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Simona Reina
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- We.MitoBiotech S.R.L, Catania, Italy
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8
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Alipour Z, Zarezadeh S, Ghotbi-Ravandi AA. The Potential of Anti-coronavirus Plant Secondary Metabolites in COVID-19 Drug Discovery as an Alternative to Repurposed Drugs: A Review. PLANTA MEDICA 2024; 90:172-203. [PMID: 37956978 DOI: 10.1055/a-2209-6357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
In early 2020, a global pandemic was announced due to the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), known to cause COVID-19. Despite worldwide efforts, there are only limited options regarding antiviral drug treatments for COVID-19. Although vaccines are now available, issues such as declining efficacy against different SARS-CoV-2 variants and the aging of vaccine-induced immunity highlight the importance of finding more antiviral drugs as a second line of defense against the disease. Drug repurposing has been used to rapidly find COVID-19 therapeutic options. Due to the lack of clinical evidence for the therapeutic benefits and certain serious side effects of repurposed antivirals, the search for an antiviral drug against SARS-CoV-2 with fewer side effects continues. In recent years, numerous studies have included antiviral chemicals from a variety of plant species. A better knowledge of the possible antiviral natural products and their mechanism against SARS-CoV-2 will help to develop stronger and more targeted direct-acting antiviral agents. The aim of the present study was to compile the current data on potential plant metabolites that can be investigated in COVID-19 drug discovery and development. This review represents a collection of plant secondary metabolites and their mode of action against SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Alipour
- Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Zarezadeh
- Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Ghotbi-Ravandi
- Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
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9
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Szabó D, Crowe A, Mamotte C, Strappe P. Natural products as a source of Coronavirus entry inhibitors. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1353971. [PMID: 38449827 PMCID: PMC10915212 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1353971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant and lasting impact on the world. Four years on, despite the existence of effective vaccines, the continuous emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants remains a challenge for long-term immunity. Additionally, there remain few purpose-built antivirals to protect individuals at risk of severe disease in the event of future coronavirus outbreaks. A promising mechanism of action for novel coronavirus antivirals is the inhibition of viral entry. To facilitate entry, the coronavirus spike glycoprotein interacts with angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on respiratory epithelial cells. Blocking this interaction and consequently viral replication may be an effective strategy for treating infection, however further research is needed to better characterize candidate molecules with antiviral activity before progressing to animal studies and clinical trials. In general, antiviral drugs are developed from purely synthetic compounds or synthetic derivatives of natural products such as plant secondary metabolites. While the former is often favored due to the higher specificity afforded by rational drug design, natural products offer several unique advantages that make them worthy of further study including diverse bioactivity and the ability to work synergistically with other drugs. Accordingly, there has recently been a renewed interest in natural product-derived antivirals in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This review provides a summary of recent research into coronavirus entry inhibitors, with a focus on natural compounds derived from plants, honey, and marine sponges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dávid Szabó
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Andrew Crowe
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Cyril Mamotte
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Padraig Strappe
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
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10
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Zheng G, Qiu G, Qian H, Shu Q, Xu J. Multifaceted role of SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins in lung injury. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1332440. [PMID: 38375473 PMCID: PMC10875085 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1332440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the third human coronavirus to cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and contains four structural proteins: spike, envelope, membrane, and nucleocapsid. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that all four structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 are capable of causing lung injury, even without the presence of intact virus. Therefore, the topic of SARS-CoV-2 structural protein-evoked lung injury warrants more attention. In the current article, we first synopsize the structural features of SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins. Second, we discuss the mechanisms for structural protein-induced inflammatory responses in vitro. Finally, we list the findings that indicate structural proteins themselves are toxic and sufficient to induce lung injury in vivo. Recognizing mechanisms of lung injury triggered by SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins may facilitate the development of targeted modalities in treating COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guanguan Qiu
- Shaoxing Second Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huifeng Qian
- Shaoxing Second Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiang Shu
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianguo Xu
- Shaoxing Second Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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11
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Zhang J, Rissmann M, Kuiken T, Haagmans BL. Comparative Pathogenesis of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronaviruses. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 19:423-451. [PMID: 37832946 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-052620-121224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Over the last two decades the world has witnessed the global spread of two genetically related highly pathogenic coronaviruses, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2. However, the impact of these outbreaks differed significantly with respect to the hospitalizations and fatalities seen worldwide. While many studies have been performed recently on SARS-CoV-2, a comparative pathogenesis analysis with SARS-CoV may further provide critical insights into the mechanisms of disease that drive coronavirus-induced respiratory disease. In this review, we comprehensively describe clinical and experimental observations related to transmission and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 in comparison with SARS-CoV, focusing on human, animal, and in vitro studies. By deciphering the similarities and disparities of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, in terms of transmission and pathogenesis mechanisms, we offer insights into the divergent characteristics of these two viruses. This information may also be relevant to assessing potential novel introductions of genetically related highly pathogenic coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingshu Zhang
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Melanie Rissmann
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Thijs Kuiken
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Bart L Haagmans
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
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12
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Chen X, Tian L, Zhang L, Gao W, Yu M, Li Z, Zhang W. Deubiquitinase USP39 promotes SARS-CoV-2 replication by deubiquitinating and stabilizing the envelope protein. Antiviral Res 2024; 221:105790. [PMID: 38158131 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E) protein is highly conserved among different viral variants and important for viral assembly and production. Our recent study found that the E protein is ubiquitinated and degraded by the E3 ligase RNF5 through the proteasome pathway. However, whether E ubiquitination can be reversed by host deubiquitinase has not yet been determined. Here, we identify by mass spectrum analysis that the deubiquitinases USP14 and USP39 specifically interact with E, while USP39 potently reverses E polyubiquitination. USP39 interacts with E via the arginine-rich motif (AR) and deubiquitinates E polyubiquitination via the inactive ubiquitin-specific protease domain. Therefore, USP39 protects E from RNF5-mediated degradation, resulting in the enhancement of E stability and E-induced cytokine storms. Moreover, loss-and-gain assays demonstrated that USP39 promotes the replication of various SARS-CoV-2 strains by stabilizing protein level of E that can be ubiquitinated but not other viral proteins. Our findings provide useful targets for the development of novel anti-SARS-CoV-2 strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Chen
- Institute of Virology and AIDS Research, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Li Tian
- Institute of Virology and AIDS Research, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Linran Zhang
- Institute of Virology and AIDS Research, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Wenying Gao
- Institute of Virology and AIDS Research, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Miao Yu
- Institute of Virology and AIDS Research, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Zhaolong Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology Center, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China; Institute of Virology and AIDS Research, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
| | - Wenyan Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology Center, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China; Institute of Virology and AIDS Research, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
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13
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Haystead T, Lee E, Cho K, Gullickson G, Hughes P, Krafsur G, Freeze R, Scarneo S. Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 individual proteins reveals the in vitro and in vivo immunogenicity of membrane protein. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22873. [PMID: 38129491 PMCID: PMC10739983 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49077-2] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence in SARS-CoV-2 patients have identified that viral infection is accompanied by the expression of inflammatory mediators by both immune and stromal cells within the pulmonary system. However, the immunogenicity of individual SARS-CoV-2 proteins has yet to be evaluated. The SARS-CoV-2 virus consists of 29 proteins, categorized either as nonstructural proteins (NSP's), structural proteins (SP's) or accessory proteins. Here we sought to evaluate the immunogenicity of NSP 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16 and the SP's spike protein (full length, S1, S2 and receptor binding domain subunits), nucleocapsid and membrane SARS-CoV-2 proteins against THP-1 and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Our results indicate that various SARS-CoV-2 proteins elicit a proinflammatory immune response indicated by increases in cytokines TNF, IL-6 and IL-1β. Our results support that SARS-CoV-2 membrane protein induced a robust increase of TNF, IL-6, IL-1β and IL-10 expression in both THP-1 and human PBMC's. Further evaluation of intranasal membrane protein challenge in male and female BALB/c mice show increases in BALF (bronchalveolar lavage fluid) proinflammatory cytokine expression, elevated cellularity, predominantly neutrophilic, and concomitant peribronchiolar and perivascular lymphomononuclear and neutrophilic inflammation. Our results suggest that individual membrane associated SARS-CoV-2 proteins induce a robust immune response that may contribute to viral induced cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in the lungs of moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. We posit that SARS-CoV-2 membrane challenges in immune-competent mice can serve as an adequate surrogate for the development of novel treatments for SARS-CoV-2 induced pulmonary inflammation, thereby avoiding expensive live virus studies under BSL-3 conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Haystead
- EydisBio Inc, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | | | | | | | - Philip Hughes
- EydisBio Inc, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
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14
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Baral B, Saini V, Tandon A, Singh S, Rele S, Dixit AK, Parmar HS, Meena AK, Jha HC. SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein induces necroptosis and mediates inflammatory response in lung and colon cells through receptor interacting protein kinase 1. Apoptosis 2023; 28:1596-1617. [PMID: 37658919 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-023-01883-9] [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] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 Envelope protein (E) is one of the crucial components in virus assembly and pathogenesis. The current study investigated its role in the SARS-CoV-2-mediated cell death and inflammation in lung and gastrointestinal epithelium and its effect on the gastrointestinal-lung axis. We observed that transfection of E protein increases the lysosomal pH and induces inflammation in the cell. The study utilizing Ethidium bromide/Acridine orange and Hoechst/Propidium iodide staining demonstrated necrotic cell death in E protein transfected cells. Our study revealed the role of the necroptotic marker RIPK1 in cell death. Additionally, inhibition of RIPK1 by its specific inhibitor Nec-1s exhibits recovery from cell death and inflammation manifested by reduced phosphorylation of NFκB. The E-transfected cells' conditioned media induced inflammation with differential expression of inflammatory markers compared to direct transfection in the gastrointestinal-lung axis. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 E mediates inflammation and necroptosis through RIPK1, and the E-expressing cells' secretion can modulate the gastrointestinal-lung axis. Based on the data of the present study, we believe that during severe COVID-19, necroptosis is an alternate mechanism of cell death besides ferroptosis, especially when the disease is not associated with drastic increase in serum ferritin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Budhadev Baral
- Infection Bioengineering Group, Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 453552, India
| | - Vaishali Saini
- Infection Bioengineering Group, Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 453552, India
| | - Akrati Tandon
- Infection Bioengineering Group, Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 453552, India
| | - Siddharth Singh
- Infection Bioengineering Group, Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 453552, India
| | - Samiksha Rele
- Infection Bioengineering Group, Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 453552, India
| | - Amit Kumar Dixit
- Central Ayurveda Research Institute, 4-CN Block, Sector-V, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700091, India
| | - Hamendra Singh Parmar
- School of Biotechnology, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Takshashila Campus, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 452001, India
| | - Ajay Kumar Meena
- Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Amkhoh, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, 474001, India
| | - Hem Chandra Jha
- Infection Bioengineering Group, Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 453552, India.
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15
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Miura K, Suzuki Y, Ishida K, Arakawa M, Wu H, Fujioka Y, Emi A, Maeda K, Hamajima R, Nakano T, Tenno T, Hiroaki H, Morita E. Distinct motifs in the E protein are required for SARS-CoV-2 virus particle formation and lysosomal deacidification in host cells. J Virol 2023; 97:e0042623. [PMID: 37830820 PMCID: PMC10617393 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00426-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has caused a global public health crisis. The E protein, a structural protein found in this virus particle, is also known to be a viroporin. As such, it forms oligomeric ion channels or pores in the host cell membrane. However, the relationship between these two functions is poorly understood. In this study, we showed that the roles of E protein in virus particle and viroporin formation are distinct. This study contributes to the development of drugs that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 virus particle formation. Additionally, we designed a highly sensitive and high-throughput virus-like particle detection system using the HiBiT tag, which is a useful tool for studying the release of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koya Miura
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Aomori, Japan
| | - Youichi Suzuki
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kotaro Ishida
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Aomori, Japan
| | - Masashi Arakawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Aomori, Japan
| | - Hong Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Fujioka
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akino Emi
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koki Maeda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Aomori, Japan
| | - Ryusei Hamajima
- Laboratory of Structural and Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakano
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Tenno
- Laboratory of Structural and Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya University, Aichi, Japan
- BeCellBar LLC, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Hiroaki
- Laboratory of Structural and Molecular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya University, Aichi, Japan
- BeCellBar LLC, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Eiji Morita
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Aomori, Japan
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16
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Medeiros-Silva J, Dregni AJ, Somberg NH, Duan P, Hong M. Atomic structure of the open SARS-CoV-2 E viroporin. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi9007. [PMID: 37831764 PMCID: PMC10575589 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi9007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The envelope (E) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus forms cation-conducting channels in the endoplasmic reticulum Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) of infected cells. The calcium channel activity of E is associated with the inflammatory responses of COVID-19. Using solid-state NMR (ssNMR) spectroscopy, we have determined the open-state structure of E's transmembrane domain (ETM) in lipid bilayers. Compared to the closed state, open ETM has an expansive water-filled amino-terminal chamber capped by key glutamate and threonine residues, a loose phenylalanine aromatic belt in the middle, and a constricted polar carboxyl-terminal pore filled with an arginine and a threonine residue. This structure gives insights into how protons and calcium ions are selected by ETM and how they permeate across the hydrophobic gate of this viroporin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aurelio J. Dregni
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Pu Duan
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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17
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Somberg NH, Medeiros‐Silva J, Jo H, Wang J, DeGrado WF, Hong M. Hexamethylene amiloride binds the SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein at the protein-lipid interface. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4755. [PMID: 37632140 PMCID: PMC10503410 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4755] [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: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E) protein forms a five-helix bundle in lipid bilayers whose cation-conducting activity is associated with the inflammatory response and respiratory distress symptoms of COVID-19. E channel activity is inhibited by the drug 5-(N,N-hexamethylene) amiloride (HMA). However, the binding site of HMA in E has not been determined. Here we use solid-state NMR to measure distances between HMA and the E transmembrane domain (ETM) in lipid bilayers. 13 C, 15 N-labeled HMA is combined with fluorinated or 13 C-labeled ETM. Conversely, fluorinated HMA is combined with 13 C, 15 N-labeled ETM. These orthogonal isotopic labeling patterns allow us to conduct dipolar recoupling NMR experiments to determine the HMA binding stoichiometry to ETM as well as HMA-protein distances. We find that HMA binds ETM with a stoichiometry of one drug per pentamer. Unexpectedly, the bound HMA is not centrally located within the channel pore, but lies on the lipid-facing surface in the middle of the TM domain. This result suggests that HMA may inhibit the E channel activity by interfering with the gating function of an aromatic network. These distance data are obtained under much lower drug concentrations than in previous chemical shift perturbation data, which showed the largest perturbation for N-terminal residues. This difference suggests that HMA has higher affinity for the protein-lipid interface than the channel pore. These results give insight into the inhibition mechanism of HMA for SARS-CoV-2 E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah H. Somberg
- Department of ChemistryMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - João Medeiros‐Silva
- Department of ChemistryMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Hyunil Jo
- Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistryUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgersthe State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - William F. DeGrado
- Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistryUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Mei Hong
- Department of ChemistryMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
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18
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Potere N, Garrad E, Kanthi Y, Di Nisio M, Kaplanski G, Bonaventura A, Connors JM, De Caterina R, Abbate A. NLRP3 inflammasome and interleukin-1 contributions to COVID-19-associated coagulopathy and immunothrombosis. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:2046-2060. [PMID: 37253117 PMCID: PMC10893977 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvad084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunothrombosis-immune-mediated activation of coagulation-is protective against pathogens, but excessive immunothrombosis can result in pathological thrombosis and multiorgan damage, as in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The NACHT-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome produces major proinflammatory cytokines of the interleukin (IL)-1 family, IL-1β and IL-18, and induces pyroptotic cell death. Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway also promotes immunothrombotic programs including release of neutrophil extracellular traps and tissue factor by leukocytes, and prothrombotic responses by platelets and the vascular endothelium. NLRP3 inflammasome activation occurs in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. In preclinical models, NLRP3 inflammasome pathway blockade restrains COVID-19-like hyperinflammation and pathology. Anakinra, recombinant human IL-1 receptor antagonist, showed safety and efficacy and is approved for the treatment of hypoxaemic COVID-19 patients with early signs of hyperinflammation. The non-selective NLRP3 inhibitor colchicine reduced hospitalization and death in a subgroup of COVID-19 outpatients but is not approved for the treatment of COVID-19. Additional COVID-19 trials testing NLRP3 inflammasome pathway blockers are inconclusive or ongoing. We herein outline the contribution of immunothrombosis to COVID-19-associated coagulopathy, and review preclinical and clinical evidence suggesting an engagement of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in the immunothrombotic pathogenesis of COVID-19. We also summarize current efforts to target the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in COVID-19, and discuss challenges, unmet gaps, and the therapeutic potential that inflammasome-targeted strategies may provide for inflammation-driven thrombotic disorders including COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Potere
- Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, ‘G. d’Annunzio’ University, Via Luigi Polacchi 11, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Evan Garrad
- Laboratory of Vascular Thrombosis and Inflammation, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Yogendra Kanthi
- Laboratory of Vascular Thrombosis and Inflammation, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marcello Di Nisio
- Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, ‘G. d’Annunzio’ University, Via Luigi Polacchi 11, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Gilles Kaplanski
- Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, INRAE, Marseille, France
- Division of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital Conception, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Aldo Bonaventura
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medicina Generale 1, Medical Center, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, ASST Sette Laghi, Varese, Italy
| | - Jean Marie Connors
- Division of Hematology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Raffaele De Caterina
- University Cardiology Division, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
- Chair and Postgraduate School of Cardiology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Fondazione Villa Serena per la Ricerca, Città Sant’Angelo, Pescara, Italy
| | - Antonio Abbate
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia, 415 Lane Rd (MR5), PO Box 801394, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
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19
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Ragel EJ, Harris LK, Campbell RA. Acute respiratory distress syndrome: potential of therapeutic interventions effective in treating progression from COVID-19 to treat progression from other illnesses-a systematic review. BMJ Open Respir Res 2023; 10:e001525. [PMID: 37657844 PMCID: PMC10476125 DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2022-001525] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the most severe form of lung injury, rendering gaseous exchange insufficient, leading to respiratory failure. Despite over 50 years of research on the treatment of ARDS when developed from illnesses such as sepsis and pneumonia, mortality remains high, and no robust pharmacological treatments exist. The progression of SARS-CoV-2 infections to ARDS during the recent global pandemic led to a surge in the number of clinical trials on the condition. Understandably, this explosion in new research focused on COVID-19 ARDS (CARDS) rather than ARDS when developed from other illnesses, yet differences in pathology between the two conditions mean that optimal treatment for them may be distinct. AIM The aim of the present work is to assess whether new therapeutic interventions that have been developed for the treatment of CARDS may also hold strong potential in the treatment of ARDS when developed from other illnesses. The study objectives are achieved through a systematic review of clinical trials. RESULTS The COVID-19 pandemic led to the identification of various therapeutic interventions for CARDS, some but not all of which are optimal for the management of ARDS. Interventions more suited to CARDS pathology include antithrombotics and biologic agents, such as cytokine inhibitors. Cell-based therapies, on the other hand, show promise in the treatment of both conditions, attributed to their broad mechanisms of action and the overlap in the clinical manifestations of the conditions. A shift towards personalised treatments for both CARDS and ARDS, as reflected through the increasing use of biologics, is also evident. CONCLUSIONS As ongoing CARDS clinical trials progress, their findings are likely to have important implications that alter the management of ARDS in patients that develop the condition from illnesses other than COVID-19 in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Ragel
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Lynda K Harris
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- 3St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
- Olson Center for Women's Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Richard A Campbell
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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20
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Sučec I, Mammeri NE, Dregni AJ, Hong M. Rapid Determination of the Topology of Oligomeric α-Helical Membrane Proteins by Water- and Lipid-Edited Methyl NMR. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:7518-7530. [PMID: 37606918 PMCID: PMC10893779 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c05295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Single-span oligomeric α-helical transmembrane proteins are common in virus ion channels, which are targets of antiviral drugs. Knowledge about the high-resolution structures of these oligomeric α-helical bundles is so far scarce. Structure determination of these membrane proteins by solid-state NMR traditionally requires resolving and assigning protein chemical shifts and measuring many interhelical distances, which are time-consuming. To accelerate experimental structure determination, here we introduce a simple solid-state NMR approach that uses magnetization transfer from water and lipid protons to the protein. By detecting the water- and lipid-transferred intensities of the high-sensitivity methyl 13C signals of Leu, Val, and Ile residues, which are highly enriched in these membrane proteins, we can derive models of the topology of these homo-oligomeric helical bundles. The topology is specified by the positions of amino acid residues in heptad repeats and the orientations of residues relative to the channel pore, lipids, and the helical interface. We demonstrate this water- and lipid-edited methyl NMR approach on the envelope (E) protein of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. We show that water-edited and lipid-edited 2D 13C-13C correlation spectra can be measured with sufficient sensitivity. Even without resolving multiple residues of the same type in the NMR spectra, we can obtain the helical bundle topology. We apply these experiments to the structurally unknown E proteins of the MERS coronavirus and the human coronavirus NL63. The resulting structural topologies show interesting differences in the positions of the aromatic residues in these three E proteins, suggesting that these viroporins may have different mechanisms of activation and ion conduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Sučec
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 170 Albany Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Nadia El Mammeri
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 170 Albany Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Aurelio J. Dregni
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 170 Albany Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Mei Hong
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 170 Albany Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
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21
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Tang Z, Xu Y, Tan Y, Shi H, Jin P, Li Y, Teng J, Liu H, Pan H, Hu Q, Cheng X, Ye J, Su Y, Sun Y, Meng J, Zhou Z, Chi H, Wang X, Liu J, Lu Y, Liu F, Dai J, Yang C, Chen S, Liu T. CD36 mediates SARS-CoV-2-envelope-protein-induced platelet activation and thrombosis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5077. [PMID: 37604832 PMCID: PMC10442425 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40824-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant coagulation and thrombosis are associated with severe COVID-19 post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, yet the underlying mechanism remains obscure. Here we show that serum levels of SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E) protein are associated with coagulation disorders of COVID-19 patients, and intravenous administration of the E protein is able to potentiate thrombosis in mice. Through protein pull-down and mass spectrometry, we find that CD36, a transmembrane glycoprotein, directly binds with E protein and mediates hyperactivation of human and mouse platelets through the p38 MAPK-NF-κB signaling pathway. Conversely, the pharmacological blockade of CD36 or p38 notably attenuates human platelet activation induced by the E protein. Similarly, the genetic deficiency of CD36, as well as the pharmacological inhibition of p38 in mice, significantly diminishes E protein-induced platelet activation and thrombotic events. Together, our study reveals a critical role for the CD36-p38 axis in E protein-induced platelet hyperactivity, which could serve as an actionable target for developing therapies against aberrant thrombotic events related to the severity and mortality of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Tang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yanyan Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yun Tan
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Hui Shi
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Peipei Jin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yunqi Li
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jialin Teng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Honglei Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Haoyu Pan
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Qiongyi Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Xiaobing Cheng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Junna Ye
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yutong Su
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yue Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jianfen Meng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Zhuochao Zhou
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Huihui Chi
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Junling Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yong Lu
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Jing Dai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Chengde Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Saijuan Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Tingting Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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22
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Ávila-Flores A, Sánchez-Cabezón JJ, Ochoa-Echeverría A, Checa AI, Rosas-García J, Téllez-Araiza M, Casado S, Liébana R, Santos-Mendoza T, Mérida I. Identification of Host PDZ-Based Interactions with the SARS-CoV-2 E Protein in Human Monocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12793. [PMID: 37628973 PMCID: PMC10454406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612793] [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: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins containing PDZ (post-synaptic density, PSD-95/disc large, Dlg/zonula occludens, ZO-1) domains assemble signaling complexes that orchestrate cell responses. Viral pathogens target host PDZ proteins by coding proteins containing a PDZ-binding motif (PBM). The presence of a PBM in the SARS-CoV-2 E protein contributes to the virus's pathogenicity. SARS-CoV-2 infects epithelia, but also cells from the innate immune response, including monocytes and alveolar macrophages. This process is critical for alterations of the immune response that are related to the deaths caused by SARS-CoV-2. Identification of E-protein targets in immune cells might offer clues to understanding how SARS-CoV-2 alters the immune response. We analyzed the interactome of the SARS-CoV-2 E protein in human monocytes. The E protein was expressed fused to a GFP tag at the amino terminal in THP-1 monocytes, and associated proteins were identified using a proteomic approach. The E-protein interactome provided 372 partners; only 8 of these harbored PDZ domains, including the cell polarity protein ZO-2, the chemoattractant IL-16, and syntenin. We addressed the expression and localization of the identified PDZ proteins along the differentiation of primary and THP-1 monocytes towards macrophages and dendritic cells. Our data highlight the importance of identifying the functions of PDZ proteins in the maintenance of immune fitness and the viral alteration of inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Ávila-Flores
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Spanish National Centre for Biotechnology, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (J.J.S.-C.); (A.O.-E.); (A.I.C.); (S.C.); (R.L.)
| | - Juan José Sánchez-Cabezón
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Spanish National Centre for Biotechnology, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (J.J.S.-C.); (A.O.-E.); (A.I.C.); (S.C.); (R.L.)
| | - Ane Ochoa-Echeverría
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Spanish National Centre for Biotechnology, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (J.J.S.-C.); (A.O.-E.); (A.I.C.); (S.C.); (R.L.)
| | - Ana I. Checa
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Spanish National Centre for Biotechnology, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (J.J.S.-C.); (A.O.-E.); (A.I.C.); (S.C.); (R.L.)
| | - Jorge Rosas-García
- Laboratory of Transcriptomics and Molecular Immunology, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (J.R.-G.); (M.T.-A.); (T.S.-M.)
| | - Mariana Téllez-Araiza
- Laboratory of Transcriptomics and Molecular Immunology, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (J.R.-G.); (M.T.-A.); (T.S.-M.)
| | - Sara Casado
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Spanish National Centre for Biotechnology, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (J.J.S.-C.); (A.O.-E.); (A.I.C.); (S.C.); (R.L.)
| | - Rosa Liébana
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Spanish National Centre for Biotechnology, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (J.J.S.-C.); (A.O.-E.); (A.I.C.); (S.C.); (R.L.)
| | - Teresa Santos-Mendoza
- Laboratory of Transcriptomics and Molecular Immunology, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (J.R.-G.); (M.T.-A.); (T.S.-M.)
| | - Isabel Mérida
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Spanish National Centre for Biotechnology, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (J.J.S.-C.); (A.O.-E.); (A.I.C.); (S.C.); (R.L.)
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23
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Zhang X, Zhang Y, Wen L, Ouyang JL, Zhang W, Zhang J, Wang Y, Liu Q. Neurological Sequelae of COVID-19: A Biochemical Perspective. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:27812-27818. [PMID: 37576681 PMCID: PMC10413374 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Exogenous factors can induce protein expression and modify the proteome which sustains for a certain period of time. The proteins of SARS-CoV-2 are high in valine plus glycine, which possess potent affinity to divalent cations such as calcium. Calcium buildup changes the protein expression profile by enabling the efficient synthesis of proteins rich in amino acids with calcium affinity. Subsequent formation of insoluble and stiff calcium oxalate and aggregates confers cellular stress and causes cell senescence. This scenario accounts for sequelae seen in some patients following recovery from COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Zhang
- School
of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Yunnan
Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical
Engineering Research Center, Kunming Medical
University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Guangzhou
Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510440, China
| | - Ling Wen
- GI
Medicine, Guangzhou Twelfth People’s
Hospital, Guangzhou 510620, Guangdong, China
| | - Jess Lan Ouyang
- School
of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Weiwei Zhang
- School
of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Jiaming Zhang
- School
of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yuchuan Wang
- School of
Basic Medical Sciences, North China University
of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei 063210, China
| | - Qiuyun Liu
- School
of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
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24
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Surya W, Tavares-Neto E, Sanchis A, Queralt-Martín M, Alcaraz A, Torres J, Aguilella VM. The Complex Proteolipidic Behavior of the SARS-CoV-2 Envelope Protein Channel: Weak Selectivity and Heterogeneous Oligomerization. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12454. [PMID: 37569828 PMCID: PMC10420310 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512454] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The envelope (E) protein is a small polypeptide that can form ion channels in coronaviruses. In SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the agent that caused the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and its predecessor SARS-CoV-1, E protein is found in the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC), where virion budding takes place. Several reports claim that E protein promotes the formation of "cation-selective channels". However, whether this term represents specificity to certain ions (e.g., potassium or calcium) or the partial or total exclusion of anions is debatable. Herein, we discuss this claim based on the available data for SARS-CoV-1 and -2 E and on new experiments performed using the untagged full-length E protein from SARS-CoV-2 in planar lipid membranes of different types, including those that closely mimic the ERGIC membrane composition. We provide evidence that the selectivity of the E-induced channels is very mild and depends strongly on lipid environment. Thus, despite past and recent claims, we found no indication that the E protein forms cation-selective channels that prevent anion transport, and even less that E protein forms bona fide specific calcium channels. In fact, the E channel maintains its multi-ionic non-specific neutral character even in concentrated solutions of Ca2+ ions. Also, in contrast to previous studies, we found no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 E channel activation requires a particular voltage, high calcium concentrations or low pH, in agreement with available data from SARS-CoV-1 E. In addition, sedimentation velocity experiments suggest that the E channel population is mostly pentameric, but very dynamic and probably heterogeneous, consistent with the broad distribution of conductance values typically found in electrophysiological experiments. The latter has been explained by the presence of proteolipidic channel structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wahyu Surya
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore;
| | - Ernesto Tavares-Neto
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Physics, Universitat Jaume I, 12080 Castellon, Spain; (E.T.-N.); (M.Q.-M.); (A.A.)
| | - Andrea Sanchis
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Physics, Universitat Jaume I, 12080 Castellon, Spain; (E.T.-N.); (M.Q.-M.); (A.A.)
| | - María Queralt-Martín
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Physics, Universitat Jaume I, 12080 Castellon, Spain; (E.T.-N.); (M.Q.-M.); (A.A.)
| | - Antonio Alcaraz
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Physics, Universitat Jaume I, 12080 Castellon, Spain; (E.T.-N.); (M.Q.-M.); (A.A.)
| | - Jaume Torres
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore;
| | - Vicente M. Aguilella
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Physics, Universitat Jaume I, 12080 Castellon, Spain; (E.T.-N.); (M.Q.-M.); (A.A.)
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25
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Zhan Y, Zha D, Lin H, Mao X, Yang L, Huang H, He Z, Zhou S, Xu F, Qian Y, Liu Y. Protective Role of Vitamin K3 on SARS-CoV-2 Structural Protein-Induced Inflammation and Cell Death. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1101. [PMID: 37631016 PMCID: PMC10457795 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The structure proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), such as nucleocapsid protein (N protein) and envelop protein (E protein), are considered to be the critical pro-inflammatory factors in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Vitamin K3 has been reported to exert an anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of vitamin K3 on SARS-CoV-2 N protein induced-endothelial activation and SARS-CoV-2 E protein induced-cell death in THP-1 cells. The results showed that vitamin K3 reduced N protein-induced monocyte adhesion, suppressed the expression of adhesion molecules, and decreased the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in HLMECs. We confirmed that the effects of vitamin K3 on endothelial activation may be related to the inhibition of the NF-κB signal pathway. In addition, vitamin K3 reversed E protein-induced pyroptosis, inhibited NLRP3/GSDMD signal pathway and reduced the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in THP-1 cells. Our results also showed the protective effects of vitamin K3 on the SARS-CoV-2 structural protein-induced THP-1 cells pyroptosis and endothelial activation via NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings suggested that vitamin K3 potently suppressed the inflammatory response to prevent endothelial activation and monocyte pyroptosis induced by SARS-CoV-2 proteins. This may provide a new strategy for the treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiong Zhan
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China; (Y.Z.); (F.X.)
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (D.Z.); (H.L.); (X.M.); (L.Y.); (H.H.); (S.Z.)
- Chongqing Research Institute, Nanchang University, Chongqing 402660, China
| | - Duoduo Zha
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (D.Z.); (H.L.); (X.M.); (L.Y.); (H.H.); (S.Z.)
| | - Hongru Lin
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (D.Z.); (H.L.); (X.M.); (L.Y.); (H.H.); (S.Z.)
| | - Xianxian Mao
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (D.Z.); (H.L.); (X.M.); (L.Y.); (H.H.); (S.Z.)
| | - Lingyi Yang
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (D.Z.); (H.L.); (X.M.); (L.Y.); (H.H.); (S.Z.)
| | - Houda Huang
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (D.Z.); (H.L.); (X.M.); (L.Y.); (H.H.); (S.Z.)
| | - Zongnan He
- Department of Pediatrics, Pingxiang Maternity and Child Care Hospital, Pingxiang 337055, China;
| | - Sheng Zhou
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (D.Z.); (H.L.); (X.M.); (L.Y.); (H.H.); (S.Z.)
| | - Fei Xu
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China; (Y.Z.); (F.X.)
| | - Yisong Qian
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (D.Z.); (H.L.); (X.M.); (L.Y.); (H.H.); (S.Z.)
- Chongqing Research Institute, Nanchang University, Chongqing 402660, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China; (Y.Z.); (F.X.)
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26
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Huang H, Li X, Zha D, Lin H, Yang L, Wang Y, Xu L, Wang L, Lei T, Zhou Z, Xiao YF, Xin HB, Fu M, Qian Y. SARS-CoV-2 E protein-induced THP-1 pyroptosis is reversed by Ruscogenin. Biochem Cell Biol 2023; 101:303-312. [PMID: 36927169 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2022-0359] [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] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), an emerging pathogenic coronavirus, has been reported to cause excessive inflammation and dysfunction in multiple cells and organs, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here we showed exogenous addition of SARS-CoV-2 envelop protein (E protein) potently induced cell death in cultured cell lines, including THP-1 monocytic leukemia cells, endothelial cells, and bronchial epithelial cells, in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. SARS-CoV-2 E protein caused pyroptosis-like cell death in THP-1 and led to GSDMD cleavage. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 E protein upregulated the expression of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines that may be attributed to activation of NF-κB, JNK and p38 signal pathways. Notably, we identified a natural compound, Ruscogenin, effectively reversed E protein-induced THP-1 death via inhibition of NLRP3 activation and GSDMD cleavage. In conclusion, these findings suggested that Ruscogenin may have beneficial effects on preventing SARS-CoV-2 E protein-induced cell death and might be a promising treatment for the complications of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houda Huang
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Xiuzhen Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Duoduo Zha
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Hongru Lin
- Department of Scientific Research, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, 570311, China
| | - Lingyi Yang
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Yihan Wang
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Luyan Xu
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Linsiqi Wang
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Tianhua Lei
- Shock/Trauma Research Center, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Zhou Zhou
- Shock/Trauma Research Center, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Yun-Fei Xiao
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Hong-Bo Xin
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Mingui Fu
- Shock/Trauma Research Center, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Yisong Qian
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
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27
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Ewart G, Bobardt M, Bentzen BH, Yan Y, Thomson A, Klumpp K, Becker S, Rosenkilde MM, Miller M, Gallay P. Post-infection treatment with the E protein inhibitor BIT225 reduces disease severity and increases survival of K18-hACE2 transgenic mice infected with a lethal dose of SARS-CoV-2. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011328. [PMID: 37549173 PMCID: PMC10434922 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus envelope (E) protein is a small structural protein with ion channel activity that plays an important role in virus assembly, budding, immunopathogenesis and disease severity. The viroporin E is also located in Golgi and ER membranes of infected cells and is associated with inflammasome activation and immune dysregulation. Here we evaluated in vitro antiviral activity, mechanism of action and in vivo efficacy of BIT225 for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. BIT225 showed broad-spectrum direct-acting antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in Calu3 and Vero cells with similar potency across 6 different virus strains. BIT225 inhibited ion channel activity of E protein but did not inhibit endogenous currents or calcium-induced ion channel activity of TMEM16A in Xenopus oocytes. BIT225 administered by oral gavage for 12 days starting 12 hours before infection completely prevented body weight loss and mortality in SARS-CoV-2 infected K18 mice (100% survival, n = 12), while all vehicle-dosed animals reached a mortality endpoint by Day 9 across two studies (n = 12). When treatment started at 24 hours after infection, body weight loss, and mortality were also prevented (100% survival, n = 5), while 4 of 5 mice maintained and increased body weight and survived when treatment started 48 hours after infection. Treatment efficacy was dependent on BIT225 dose and was associated with significant reductions in lung viral load (3.5 log10), virus titer (4000 pfu/ml) and lung and serum cytokine levels. These results validate viroporin E as a viable antiviral target and support the clinical study of BIT225 for treatment and prophylaxis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Ewart
- Biotron Limited, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael Bobardt
- The Scripps Institute, Immunology and Microbiology, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Bo Hjorth Bentzen
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yannan Yan
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Klaus Klumpp
- Biotron Limited, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Mette M. Rosenkilde
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Philippe Gallay
- The Scripps Institute, Immunology and Microbiology, La Jolla, California, United States of America
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28
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Wang Y, Pan X, Ji H, Zuo X, Xiao GF, Li J, Zhang LK, Xia B, Gao Z. Impact of SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein mutations on the pathogenicity of Omicron XBB. Cell Discov 2023; 9:80. [PMID: 37507399 PMCID: PMC10382526 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-023-00575-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Stake Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hongying Ji
- Stake Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pharmacology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, The Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Xiaoli Zuo
- Stake Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Geng-Fu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jia Li
- Stake Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei-Ke Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Bingqing Xia
- Stake Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhaobing Gao
- Stake Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China.
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29
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Oliveira-Mendes BBR, Alameh M, Ollivier B, Montnach J, Bidère N, Souazé F, Escriou N, Charpentier F, Baró I, De Waard M, Loussouarn G. SARS-CoV-2 E and 3a Proteins Are Inducers of Pannexin Currents. Cells 2023; 12:1474. [PMID: 37296595 PMCID: PMC10252541 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111474] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Controversial reports have suggested that SARS-CoV E and 3a proteins are plasma membrane viroporins. Here, we aimed at better characterizing the cellular responses induced by these proteins. First, we show that expression of SARS-CoV-2 E or 3a protein in CHO cells gives rise to cells with newly acquired round shapes that detach from the Petri dish. This suggests that cell death is induced upon expression of E or 3a protein. We confirmed this by using flow cytometry. In adhering cells expressing E or 3a protein, the whole-cell currents were not different from those of the control, suggesting that E and 3a proteins are not plasma membrane viroporins. In contrast, recording the currents on detached cells uncovered outwardly rectifying currents much larger than those observed in the control. We illustrate for the first time that carbenoxolone and probenecid block these outwardly rectifying currents; thus, these currents are most probably conducted by pannexin channels that are activated by cell morphology changes and also potentially by cell death. The truncation of C-terminal PDZ binding motifs reduces the proportion of dying cells but does not prevent these outwardly rectifying currents. This suggests distinct pathways for the induction of these cellular events by the two proteins. We conclude that SARS-CoV-2 E and 3a proteins are not viroporins expressed at the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Malak Alameh
- L’institut du Thorax, Nantes Université, CNRS, INSERM, F-44000 Nantes, France; (B.B.R.O.-M.); (M.A.)
- Labex Ion Channels, Science and Therapeutics, F-06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Béatrice Ollivier
- L’institut du Thorax, Nantes Université, CNRS, INSERM, F-44000 Nantes, France; (B.B.R.O.-M.); (M.A.)
| | - Jérôme Montnach
- L’institut du Thorax, Nantes Université, CNRS, INSERM, F-44000 Nantes, France; (B.B.R.O.-M.); (M.A.)
| | - Nicolas Bidère
- Team SOAP, CRCI2NA, INSERM, CNRS, Nantes Université, Université d’Angers, F-44000 Nantes, France
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, F-75006 Paris, France
| | | | - Nicolas Escriou
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Département de Santé Globale, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Flavien Charpentier
- L’institut du Thorax, Nantes Université, CNRS, INSERM, F-44000 Nantes, France; (B.B.R.O.-M.); (M.A.)
| | - Isabelle Baró
- L’institut du Thorax, Nantes Université, CNRS, INSERM, F-44000 Nantes, France; (B.B.R.O.-M.); (M.A.)
| | - Michel De Waard
- L’institut du Thorax, Nantes Université, CNRS, INSERM, F-44000 Nantes, France; (B.B.R.O.-M.); (M.A.)
- Labex Ion Channels, Science and Therapeutics, F-06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Gildas Loussouarn
- L’institut du Thorax, Nantes Université, CNRS, INSERM, F-44000 Nantes, France; (B.B.R.O.-M.); (M.A.)
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Zhou S, Yu Z, Chen Z, Ning F, Hu X, Wu T, Li M, Xin H, Reilly S, Zhang X. Olmesartan alleviates SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein induced renal fibrosis by regulating HMGB1 release and autophagic degradation of TGF-β1. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1187818. [PMID: 37256223 PMCID: PMC10225711 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1187818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims: Renal damage in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is highly associated with mortality. Finding relevant therapeutic candidates that can alleviate it is crucial. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) have been shown to be harmless to COVID-19 patients, but it remains elusive whether ACEIs/ARBs have protective benefits to them. We wished to determine if ACEIs/ARBs had a protective effect on the renal damage associated with COVID-19, and to investigate the mechanism. Methods: We used the envelope (E) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) to induce COVID-19-like multiple organ damage and observed renal fibrosis. We induced the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation of HK-2 cells with E protein, and found that olmesartan could alleviate it significantly. The protective effects of olmesartan on E protein-induced renal fibrosis were evaluated by renal-function assessment, pathologic alterations, inflammation, and the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway. The distribution of high-mobility group box (HMGB)1 was examined after stimulation with E protein and olmesartan administration. Results: E protein stimulated HMGB1 release, which triggered the immune response and promoted activation of TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling: both could lead to renal fibrosis. Olmesartan regulated the distribution of HMGB1 under E protein stimulation. Olmesartan inhibited the release of HMGB1, and reduced the inflammatory response and activation of TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling. Olmesartan increased the cytoplasmic level of HMGB1 to promote the autophagic degradation of TGF-β1, thereby alleviating fibrosis further. Conclusion: Olmesartan alleviates E protein-induced renal fibrosis by regulating the release of HMGB1 and its mediated autophagic degradation of TGF-β1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilin Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zanzhe Yu
- Department of Nephrology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zihui Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengling Ning
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuetao Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tiangang Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingxue Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Xin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Svetlana Reilly
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Aganovic A. pH-dependent endocytosis mechanisms for influenza A and SARS-coronavirus. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1190463. [PMID: 37234537 PMCID: PMC10206014 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1190463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the influenza epidemics have revived the interest in understanding how these highly contagious enveloped viruses respond to alterations in the physicochemical properties of their microenvironment. By understanding the mechanisms and conditions by which viruses exploit the pH environment of the host cell during endocytosis, we can gain a better understanding of how they respond to pH-regulated anti-viral therapies but also pH-induced changes in extracellular environments. This review provides a detailed explanation of the pH-dependent viral structural changes preceding and initiating viral disassembly during endocytosis for influenza A (IAV) and SARS coronaviruses. Drawing upon extensive literature from the last few decades and latest research, I analyze and compare the circumstances in which IAV and SARS-coronavirus can undertake endocytotic pathways that are pH-dependent. While there are similarities in the pH-regulated patterns leading to fusion, the mechanisms and pH activation differ. In terms of fusion activity, the measured activation pH values for IAV, across all subtypes and species, vary between approximately 5.0 to 6.0, while SARS-coronavirus necessitates a lower pH of 6.0 or less. The main difference between the pH-dependent endocytic pathways is that the SARS-coronavirus, unlike IAV, require the presence of specific pH-sensitive enzymes (cathepsin L) during endosomal transport. Conversely, the conformational changes in the IAV virus under acidic conditions in endosomes occur due to the specific envelope glycoprotein residues and envelope protein ion channels (viroporins) getting protonated by H+ ions. Despite extensive research over several decades, comprehending the pH-triggered conformational alterations of viruses still poses a significant challenge. The precise mechanisms of protonation mechanisms of certain during endosomal transport for both viruses remain incompletely understood. In absence of evidence, further research is needed.
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Su W, Ju J, Gu M, Wang X, Liu S, Yu J, Mu D. SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein triggers depression-like behaviors and dysosmia via TLR2-mediated neuroinflammation in mice. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:110. [PMID: 37158916 PMCID: PMC10166055 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02786-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression and dysosmia have been regarded as primary neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients, the mechanism of which remains unclear. Current studies have demonstrated that the SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E) protein is a pro-inflammatory factor sensed by Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), suggesting the pathological feature of E protein is independent of viral infection. In this study, we aim to ascertain the role of E protein in depression, dysosmia and associated neuroinflammation in the central nervous system (CNS). METHODS Depression-like behaviors and olfactory function were observed in both female and male mice receiving intracisternal injection of E protein. Immunohistochemistry was applied in conjunction with RT-PCR to evaluate glial activation, blood-brain barrier status and mediators synthesis in the cortex, hippocampus and olfactory bulb. TLR2 was pharmacologically blocked to determine its role in E protein-related depression-like behaviors and dysosmia in mice. RESULTS Intracisternal injection of E protein evoked depression-like behaviors and dysosmia in both female and male mice. Immunohistochemistry suggested that the E protein upregulated IBA1 and GFAP in the cortex, hippocampus and olfactory bulb, while ZO-1 was downregulated. Moreover, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, CCL2, MMP2 and CSF1 were upregulated in both cortex and hippocampus, whereas IL-1β, IL-6 and CCL2 were upregulated in the olfactory bulb. Furtherly, inhibiting microglia, rather than astrocytes, alleviated depression-like behaviors and dysosmia induced by E protein. Finally, RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry suggested that TLR2 was upregulated in the cortex, hippocampus and olfactory bulb, the blocking of which mitigated depression-like behaviors and dysosmia induced by E protein. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that envelope protein could directly induce depression-like behaviors, dysosmia, and obvious neuroinflammation in CNS. TLR2 mediated depression-like behaviors and dysosmia induced by envelope protein, which could serve as a promising therapeutic target for neurological manifestation in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenliang Su
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiahang Ju
- Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Minghui Gu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xinrui Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shaozhuang Liu
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Sanhao Street 36, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning, China
| | - Jiawen Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Dongliang Mu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
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Giannakopoulos S, Strange DP, Jiyarom B, Abdelaal O, Bradshaw AW, Nerurkar VR, Ward MA, Bakse J, Yap J, Vanapruks S, Boisvert WA, Tallquist MD, Shikuma C, Sadri-Ardekani H, Clapp P, Murphy SV, Verma S. In vitro evidence against productive SARS-CoV-2 infection of human testicular cells: Bystander effects of infection mediate testicular injury. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011409. [PMID: 37200377 PMCID: PMC10231791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The hallmark of severe COVID-19 involves systemic cytokine storm and multi-organ injury including testicular inflammation, reduced testosterone, and germ cell depletion. The ACE2 receptor is also expressed in the resident testicular cells, however, SARS-CoV-2 infection and mechanisms of testicular injury are not fully understood. The testicular injury could be initiated by direct virus infection or exposure to systemic inflammatory mediators or viral antigens. We characterized SARS-CoV-2 infection in different human testicular 2D and 3D culture systems including primary Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, mixed seminiferous tubule cells (STC), and 3D human testicular organoids (HTO). Data shows that SARS-CoV-2 does not productively infect any testicular cell type. However, exposure of STC and HTO to inflammatory supernatant from infected airway epithelial cells and COVID-19 plasma decreased cell viability and resulted in the death of undifferentiated spermatogonia. Further, exposure to only SARS-CoV-2 Envelope protein caused inflammatory response and cytopathic effects dependent on TLR2, while Spike 1 or Nucleocapsid proteins did not. A similar trend was observed in the K18-hACE2 transgenic mice which demonstrated a disrupted tissue architecture with no evidence of virus replication in the testis that correlated with peak lung inflammation. Virus antigens including Spike 1 and Envelope proteins were also detected in the serum during the acute stage of the disease. Collectively, these data strongly suggest that testicular injury associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection is likely an indirect effect of exposure to systemic inflammation and/or SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Data also provide novel insights into the mechanism of testicular injury and could explain the clinical manifestation of testicular symptoms associated with severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanos Giannakopoulos
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Daniel P. Strange
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Boonyanudh Jiyarom
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Omar Abdelaal
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | - Aaron W. Bradshaw
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Urology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Vivek R. Nerurkar
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Monika A. Ward
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Jackson Bakse
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Yap
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Selena Vanapruks
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - William A. Boisvert
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Michelle D. Tallquist
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Cecilia Shikuma
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Hooman Sadri-Ardekani
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Urology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Philip Clapp
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sean V. Murphy
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Saguna Verma
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
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Lin ZH, Yeh H, Lo HC, Hua WJ, Ni MY, Wang LK, Chang TT, Yang MH, Lin TY. GMI, a fungal immunomodulatory protein, ameliorates SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein-induced inflammation in macrophages via inhibition of MAPK pathway. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 241:124648. [PMID: 37119883 PMCID: PMC10140468 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Clinically, COVID-19 is often accompanied by a severe immune response (cytokine storm) which produces a large number of cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-12, and consequently causes acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). GMI is a type of fungal immunomodulatory protein that is cloned from Ganoderma microsporum and acts as modulating immunocyte for various inflammatory diseases. This study identifies GMI as a potential anti-inflammatory agent and determines the effects of GMI on the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokine secretion. Functional studies showed that SARS-CoV-2 envelop (E) protein induces inflammatory process in murine macrophages RAW264.7 and MH-S cells and in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated human THP-1 cells. GMI exhibits a strong inhibitory effect for SARS-CoV-2-E-induced pro-inflammatory mediators, including NO, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12 in macrophages. GMI reduces SARS-CoV-2-E-induced intracellular inflammatory molecules, such as iNOS and COX-2, and inhibits SARS-CoV-2-E-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and P38. GMI also downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in lung tissue and serum after the mice inhale SARS-CoV-2-E protein. In conclusion, this study shows that GMI acts as an agent to alleviate SARS-CoV-2-E-induced inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Hu Lin
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin Yeh
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chih Lo
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Jyun Hua
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yang Ni
- Hungchi Women & Children's Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Li-Kai Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Hospital and Health Care Administration, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Ting Chang
- Biomedical Industry Ph.D. Program, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department and Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Muh-Hwa Yang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Yi Lin
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Biomedical Industry Ph.D. Program, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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35
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Santos-Mendoza T. The Envelope (E) Protein of SARS-CoV-2 as a Pharmacological Target. Viruses 2023; 15:v15041000. [PMID: 37112980 PMCID: PMC10143767 DOI: 10.3390/v15041000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is still a global health concern. Several spike (S) protein-based vaccines have been developed that efficiently protect the human population against severe forms of COVID-19. However, some SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) have emerged that evade the protective effect of vaccine-induced antibodies. Therefore, efficient and specific antiviral treatments to control COVID-19 are indispensable. To date, two drugs have been approved for mild COVID-19 treatment; nevertheless, more drugs, preferably broad-spectrum and ready-to-use therapeutic agents for new pandemics, are needed. Here, I discuss the PDZ-dependent protein-protein interactions of the viral E protein with host proteins as attractive alternatives for the development of antivirals against coronavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Santos-Mendoza
- Laboratory of Transcriptomics and Molecular Immunology, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
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36
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Cai Y, Zhao Y, Yadav AK, Ji B, Kang P, Wei T. Ozone based inactivation and disinfection in the pandemic time and beyond: Taking forward what has been learned and best practice. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 862:160711. [PMID: 36496014 PMCID: PMC9727960 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The large-scale global COVID-19 has a profound impact on human society. Timely and effectively blocking the virus spread is the key to controlling the pandemic growth. Ozone-based inactivation and disinfection techniques have been shown to effectively kill SARS-CoV-2 in water, aerosols and on solid surface. However, the lack of an unified information and discussion on ozone-based inactivation and disinfection in current and previous pandemics and the absence of consensus on the main mechanisms by which ozone-based inactivation of pandemic causing viruses have hindered the possibility of establishing a common basis for identifying best practices in the utilization of ozone technology. This article reviews the research status of ozone (O3) disinfection on pandemic viruses (especially SARS-CoV-2). Taking sterilization kinetics as the starting point while followed by distinguishing the pandemic viruses by enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, this review focuses on analyzing the scope of application of the sterilization model and the influencing factors from the experimental studies and data induction. It is expected that the review could provide an useful reference for the safe and effective O3 utilization of SARS-CoV-2 inactivation in the post-pandemic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamei Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, PR China; Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, PR China
| | - Yaqian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, PR China; Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, PR China.
| | - Asheesh Kumar Yadav
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Technology, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bin Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, PR China; School of Civil Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, PR China
| | - Peiying Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, PR China; Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, School of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, PR China
| | - Ting Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, PR China; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
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37
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Jantan I, Arshad L, Septama AW, Haque MA, Mohamed-Hussein ZA, Govender NT. Antiviral effects of phytochemicals against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and their mechanisms of action: A review. Phytother Res 2023; 37:1036-1056. [PMID: 36343627 PMCID: PMC9878073 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The worldwide spreading of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has posed a serious threat to health, economic, environmental, and social aspects of human lives. Currently, there are no approved treatments that can effectively block the virus although several existing antimalarial and antiviral agents have been repurposed and allowed use during the pandemic under the emergency use authorization (EUA) status. This review gives an updated overview of the antiviral effects of phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids against the COVID-19 virus and their mechanisms of action. Search for natural lead molecules against SARS-CoV-2 has been focusing on virtual screening and in vitro studies on phytochemicals that have shown great promise against other coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV. Until now, there is limited data on in vivo investigations to examine the antiviral activity of plants in SARS-CoV-2-infected animal models and the studies were performed using crude extracts. Further experimental and preclinical investigations on the in vivo effects of phytochemicals have to be performed to provide sufficient efficacy and safety data before clinical studies can be performed to develop them into COVID-19 drugs. Phytochemicals are potential sources of new chemical leads for the development of safe and potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Jantan
- Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Laiba Arshad
- Department of Pharmacy, Forman Christian College (A Chartered University), Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Abdi Wira Septama
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Ingredient and Traditional Medicine, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Cibinong Science Center, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Md Areeful Haque
- Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zeti-Azura Mohamed-Hussein
- Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.,Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nisha T Govender
- Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
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38
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Zhou S, Lv P, Li M, Chen Z, Xin H, Reilly S, Zhang X. SARS-CoV-2 E protein: Pathogenesis and potential therapeutic development. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 159:114242. [PMID: 36652729 PMCID: PMC9832061 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a devastating global pandemic, which has seriously affected human health worldwide. The discovery of therapeutic agents is extremely urgent, and the viral structural proteins are particularly important as potential drug targets. SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E) protein is one of the main structural proteins of the virus, which is involved in multiple processes of the virus life cycle and is directly related to pathogenesis process. In this review, we present the amino acid sequence of the E protein and compare it with other two human coronaviruses. We then explored the role of E protein in the viral life cycle and discussed the pathogenic mechanisms that E protein may be involved in. Next, we summarize the potential drugs against E protein discovered in the current studies. Finally, we described the possible effects of E protein mutation on virus and host. This established a knowledge system of E protein to date, aiming to provide theoretical insights for mitigating the current COVID-19 pandemic and potential future coronavirus outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilin Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Panpan Lv
- Clinical Laboratory, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Mingxue Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zihui Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hong Xin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Svetlana Reilly
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Li Z, Hao P, Zhao Z, Gao W, Huan C, Li L, Chen X, Wang H, Jin N, Luo ZQ, Li C, Zhang W. The E3 ligase RNF5 restricts SARS-CoV-2 replication by targeting its envelope protein for degradation. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:53. [PMID: 36737599 PMCID: PMC9897159 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01335-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a severe global health crisis; its structural protein envelope (E) is critical for viral entry, budding, production, and induction of pathology which makes it a potential target for therapeutics against COVID-19. Here, we find that the E3 ligase RNF5 interacts with and catalyzes ubiquitination of E on the 63rd lysine, leading to its degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Importantly, RNF5-induced degradation of E inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication and the RNF5 pharmacological activator Analog-1 alleviates disease development in a mouse infection model. We also found that RNF5 is distinctively expressed in different age groups and in patients displaying different disease severity, which may be exploited as a prognostic marker for COVID-19. Furthermore, RNF5 recognized the E protein from various SARS-CoV-2 strains and SARS-CoV, suggesting that targeting RNF5 is a broad-spectrum antiviral strategy. Our findings provide novel insights into the role of UPS in antagonizing SARS-CoV-2 replication, which opens new avenues for therapeutic intervention to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaolong Li
- Departement of Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology Center, Institute of Virology and AIDS Research, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of The Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Pengfei Hao
- Research Unit of Key Technologies for Prevention and Control of Virus Zoonoses, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130000, Jilin, China
| | - Zhilei Zhao
- Departement of Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology Center, Institute of Virology and AIDS Research, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of The Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wenying Gao
- Departement of Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology Center, Institute of Virology and AIDS Research, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of The Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chen Huan
- Departement of Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology Center, Institute of Virology and AIDS Research, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of The Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Letian Li
- Research Unit of Key Technologies for Prevention and Control of Virus Zoonoses, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130000, Jilin, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Departement of Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology Center, Institute of Virology and AIDS Research, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of The Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Departement of Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology Center, Institute of Virology and AIDS Research, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of The Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ningyi Jin
- Research Unit of Key Technologies for Prevention and Control of Virus Zoonoses, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130000, Jilin, China
| | - Zhao-Qing Luo
- Departement of Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology Center, Institute of Virology and AIDS Research, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of The Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - Chang Li
- Research Unit of Key Technologies for Prevention and Control of Virus Zoonoses, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130000, Jilin, China.
| | - Wenyan Zhang
- Departement of Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology Center, Institute of Virology and AIDS Research, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of The Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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Xia B, Pan X, Luo RH, Shen X, Li S, Wang Y, Zuo X, Wu Y, Guo Y, Xiao G, Li Q, Long XY, He XY, Zheng HY, Lu Y, Pang W, Zheng YT, Li J, Zhang LK, Gao Z. Extracellular vesicles mediate antibody-resistant transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Cell Discov 2023; 9:2. [PMID: 36609376 PMCID: PMC9821354 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-022-00510-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic. Antibody resistance dampens neutralizing antibody therapy and threatens current global Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine campaigns. In addition to the emergence of resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants, little is known about how SARS-CoV-2 evades antibodies. Here, we report a novel mechanism of extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated cell-to-cell transmission of SARS-CoV-2, which facilitates SARS-CoV-2 to escape from neutralizing antibodies. These EVs, initially observed in SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein-expressing cells, are secreted by various SARS-CoV-2-infected cells, including Vero E6, Calu-3, and HPAEpiC cells, undergoing infection-induced pyroptosis. Various SARS-CoV-2-infected cells produce similar EVs characterized by extra-large sizes (1.6-9.5 μm in diameter, average diameter > 4.2 μm) much larger than previously reported virus-generated vesicles. Transmission electron microscopy analysis and plaque assay reveal that these SARS-CoV-2-induced EVs contain large amounts of live virus particles. In particular, the vesicle-cloaked SARS-CoV-2 virus is resistant to neutralizing antibodies and able to reinfect naïve cells independent of the reported receptors and cofactors. Consistently, the constructed 3D images show that intact EVs could be taken up by recipient cells directly, supporting vesicle-mediated cell-to-cell transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism of receptor-independent SARS-CoV-2 infection via cell-to-cell transmission, provide new insights into antibody resistance of SARS-CoV-2 and suggest potential targets for future antiviral therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingqing Xia
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Stake Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Pan
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei China
| | - Rong-Hua Luo
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan China
| | - Xurui Shen
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Stake Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuangqu Li
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Stake Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Wang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Stake Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoli Zuo
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Stake Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Wu
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei China
| | - Yingqi Guo
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Public Technology Service Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan China
| | - Gengfu Xiao
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei China
| | - Qiguang Li
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Stake Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-Yan Long
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan China
| | - Xiao-Yan He
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan China
| | - Hong-Yi Zheng
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan China
| | - Ying Lu
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan China
| | - Wei Pang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan China
| | - Yong-Tang Zheng
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan China
| | - Jia Li
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Stake Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Zhongshan Institute for Drug Research, Institution for Drug Discovery Innovation, Chinese Academy of Science, Zhongshan, Guangdong China
| | - Lei-Ke Zhang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei China
| | - Zhaobing Gao
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Stake Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Zhongshan Institute for Drug Research, Institution for Drug Discovery Innovation, Chinese Academy of Science, Zhongshan, Guangdong China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Guarnieri JW, Angelin A, Murdock DG, Schaefer P, Portluri P, Lie T, Huang J, Wallace DC. SARS-COV-2 viroporins activate the NLRP3-inflammasome by the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1064293. [PMID: 36891303 PMCID: PMC9986324 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1064293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Compared to healthy controls, severe COVID19 patients display increased levels of activated NLRP3-inflammasome (NLRP3-I) and interleukin (IL)-1β. SARS-CoV-2 encodes viroporin proteins E and Orf3a(2-E+2-3a) with homologs to SARS-CoV-1, 1-E+1-3a, which elevate NLRP3-I activation; by an unknown mechanism. Thus, we investigated how 2-E+2-3a activates the NLRP3-I to better understand the pathophysiology of severe COVID-19. Methods We generated a polycistronic expression-vector co-expressing 2-E+2-3a from a single transcript. To elucidate how 2-E+2-3a activates the NLRP3-I, we reconstituted the NLRP3-I in 293T cells and used THP1-derived macrophages to monitor the secretion of mature IL-1β. Mitochondrial physiology was assessed using fluorescent microscopy and plate reader assays, and the release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was detected from cytosolic-enriched fractions using Real-Time PCR. Results Expression of 2-E+2-3a in 293T cells increased cytosolic Ca++ and elevated mitochondrial Ca++, taken up through the MCUi11-sensitive mitochondrial calcium uniporter. Increased mitochondrial Ca++ stimulated NADH, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) production and the release of mtDNA into the cytosol. Expression of 2-E+2-3a in NLRP3-I reconstituted 293T cells and THP1-derived macrophages displayed increased secretion of IL-1β. Increasing mitochondrial antioxidant defenses via treatment with MnTBAP or genetic expression of mCAT abolished 2-E+2-3a elevation of mROS, cytosolic mtDNA levels, and secretion of NLRP3-activated-IL-1β. The 2-E+2-3a-induced release of mtDNA and the secretion of NLRP3-activated-IL-1β were absent in cells lacking mtDNA and blocked in cells treated with the mitochondrial-permeability-pore(mtPTP)-specific inhibitor NIM811. Conclusion Our findings revealed that mROS activates the release of mitochondrial DNA via the NIM811-sensitive mitochondrial-permeability-pore(mtPTP), activating the inflammasome. Hence, interventions targeting mROS and the mtPTP may mitigate the severity of COVID-19 cytokine storms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph W Guarnieri
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alessia Angelin
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Deborah G Murdock
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Patrick Schaefer
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Prasanth Portluri
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Timothy Lie
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Department of biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jessica Huang
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Douglas C Wallace
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Bioactivity and In Silico Studies of Isoquinoline and Related Alkaloids as Promising Antiviral Agents: An Insight. Biomolecules 2022; 13:biom13010017. [PMID: 36671402 PMCID: PMC9856122 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses are widely recognized as the primary cause of infectious diseases around the world. The ongoing global pandemic due to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 further added fuel to the fire. The development of therapeutics becomes very difficult as viruses can mutate their genome to become more complex and resistant. Medicinal plants and phytocompounds could be alternative options. Isoquinoline and their related alkaloids are naturally occurring compounds that interfere with multiple pathways including nuclear factor-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase, and inhibition of Ca2+-mediated fusion. These pathways play a crucial role in viral replication. Thus, the major goal of this study is to comprehend the function of various isoquinoline and related alkaloids in viral infections by examining their potential mechanisms of action, structure-activity relationships (SAR), in silico (particularly for SARS-CoV-2), in vitro and in vivo studies. The current advancements in isoquinoline and related alkaloids as discussed in the present review could facilitate an in-depth understanding of their role in the drug discovery process.
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43
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Vargas-Zapata V, Geiger KM, Tran D, Ma J, Mao X, Puschnik AS, Coscoy L. SARS-CoV-2 Envelope-mediated Golgi pH dysregulation interferes with ERAAP retention in cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.11.29.518257. [PMID: 36482965 PMCID: PMC9727756 DOI: 10.1101/2022.11.29.518257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) aminopeptidase associated with antigen processing (ERAAP) trims peptide precursors in the ER for presentation by major histocompatibility (MHC)-I molecules to surveying CD8+ T-cells. This function allows ERAAP to regulate the nature and quality of the peptide repertoire and, accordingly, the resulting immune responses. We recently showed that infection with murine cytomegalovirus leads to a dramatic loss of ERAAP levels in infected cells. In mice, this loss is associated with the activation of QFL T-cells, a subset of T-cells that monitor ERAAP integrity and eliminate cells experiencing ERAAP dysfunction. In this study, we aimed to identify host factors that regulate ERAAP expression level and determine whether these could be manipulated during viral infections. We performed a CRISPR knockout screen and identified ERp44 as a factor promoting ERAAP retention in the ER. ERp44's interaction with ERAAP is dependent on the pH gradient between the ER and Golgi. We hypothesized that viruses that disrupt the pH of the secretory pathway interfere with ERAAP retention. Here, we demonstrate that expression of the Envelope (E) protein from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) leads to Golgi pH neutralization and consequently decrease of ERAAP intracellular levels. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2-induced ERAAP loss correlates with its release into the extracellular environment. ERAAP's reliance on ERp44 and a functioning ER/Golgi pH gradient for proper localization and function led us to propose that ERAAP serves as a sensor of disturbances in the secretory pathway during infection and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Vargas-Zapata
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Kristina M Geiger
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Dan Tran
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Jessica Ma
- Division of Microbial Biology, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Xiaowen Mao
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | | | - Laurent Coscoy
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
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44
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Zheng H, Zhang T, Xu Y, Lu X, Sang X. Autoimmune hepatitis after COVID-19 vaccination. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1035073. [PMID: 36505482 PMCID: PMC9732229 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1035073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is one of the most vigorous ways to intervene in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Cases of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) after coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination have been increasingly reported. Twenty-seven cases of AIH are summarized in this study, providing emerging evidence of autoimmune reactions in response to various COVID-19 vaccines, including in patients with special disease backgrounds such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), liver transplantation, and previous hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. Molecular mimicry, adjuvants, epitope spreading, bystander activation, X chromosome, and sceptical hepatotropism of SARS-CoV-2 may account for, to some extent, such autoimmune phenomena. Immunosuppressive corticosteroids perform well with or without azathioprine in such post-COVID-19-vaccination AIH. However, determination of the exact mechanism and establishment of causality require further confirmation.
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Henke W, Waisner H, Arachchige SP, Kalamvoki M, Stephens E. The envelope proteins from SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV potently reduce the infectivity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Retrovirology 2022; 19:25. [PMID: 36403071 PMCID: PMC9675205 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-022-00611-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Viroporins are virally encoded ion channels involved in virus assembly and release. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and influenza A virus encode for viroporins. The human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 encodes for at least two viroporins, a small 75 amino acid transmembrane protein known as the envelope (E) protein and a larger 275 amino acid protein known as Orf3a. Here, we compared the replication of HIV-1 in the presence of four different β-coronavirus E proteins. RESULTS We observed that the SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV E proteins reduced the release of infectious HIV-1 yields by approximately 100-fold while MERS-CoV or HCoV-OC43 E proteins restricted HIV-1 infectivity to a lesser extent. Mechanistically, neither reverse transcription nor mRNA synthesis was involved in the restriction. We also show that all four E proteins caused phosphorylation of eIF2-α at similar levels and that lipidation of LC3-I could not account for the differences in restriction. However, the level of caspase 3 activity in transfected cells correlated with HIV-1 restriction in cells. Finally, we show that unlike the Vpu protein of HIV-1, the four E proteins did not significantly down-regulate bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST-2). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that while viroporins from homologous viruses can enhance virus release, we show that a viroporin from a heterologous virus can suppress HIV-1 protein synthesis and release of infectious virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wyatt Henke
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and ImmunologyUniversity of Kansas Medical Center, 2000 Hixon Hall 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas, KS 66160 USA
| | - Hope Waisner
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and ImmunologyUniversity of Kansas Medical Center, 2000 Hixon Hall 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas, KS 66160 USA
| | - Sachith Polpitiya Arachchige
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and ImmunologyUniversity of Kansas Medical Center, 2000 Hixon Hall 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas, KS 66160 USA
| | - Maria Kalamvoki
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and ImmunologyUniversity of Kansas Medical Center, 2000 Hixon Hall 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas, KS 66160 USA
| | - Edward Stephens
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and ImmunologyUniversity of Kansas Medical Center, 2000 Hixon Hall 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas, KS 66160 USA
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Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Viral Channel Activity Using FDA-Approved Channel Modulators Independent of Variants. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12111673. [PMID: 36421688 PMCID: PMC9687591 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: SARS-CoV-2 has undergone mutations, yielding clinically relevant variants. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that in SARS-CoV-2, two highly conserved Orf3a and E channels directly related to the virus replication were a target for the detection and inhibition of the viral replication, independent of the variant, using FDA-approved ion channel modulators. Methods: A combination of a fluorescence potassium ion assay with channel modulators was developed to detect SARS-CoV-2 Orf3a/E channel activity. Two FDA-approved drugs, amantadine (an antiviral) and amitriptyline (an antidepressant), which are ion channel blockers, were tested as to whether they inhibited Orf3a/E channel activity in isolated virus variants and in nasal swab samples from COVID-19 patients. The variants were confirmed by PCR sequencing. Results: In isolated SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants, the channel activity of Orf3a/E was detected and inhibited by emodin and gliclazide (IC50 = 0.42 mM). In the Delta swab samples, amitriptyline and amantadine inhibited the channel activity of viral proteins, with IC50 values of 0.73 mM and 1.11 mM, respectively. In the Omicron swab samples, amitriptyline inhibited the channel activity, with an IC50 of 0.76 mM. Conclusions: We developed an efficient method to screen FDA-approved ion channel modulators that could be repurposed to detect and inhibit SARS-CoV-2 viral replication, independent of variants.
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Somberg NH, Wu WW, Medeiros-Silva J, Dregni AJ, Jo H, DeGrado WF, Hong M. SARS-CoV-2 Envelope Protein Forms Clustered Pentamers in Lipid Bilayers. Biochemistry 2022; 61:2280-2294. [PMID: 36219675 PMCID: PMC9583936 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E) protein is a viroporin associated with the acute respiratory symptoms of COVID-19. E forms cation-selective ion channels that assemble in the lipid membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum Golgi intermediate compartment. The channel activity of E is linked to the inflammatory response of the host cell to the virus. Like many viroporins, E is thought to oligomerize with a well-defined stoichiometry. However, attempts to determine the E stoichiometry have led to inconclusive results and suggested mixtures of oligomers whose exact nature might vary with the detergent used. Here, we employ 19F solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance and the centerband-only detection of exchange (CODEX) technique to determine the oligomeric number of E's transmembrane domain (ETM) in lipid bilayers. The CODEX equilibrium value, which corresponds to the inverse of the oligomeric number, indicates that ETM assembles into pentamers in lipid bilayers, without any detectable fraction of low-molecular-weight oligomers. Unexpectedly, at high peptide concentrations and in the presence of the lipid phosphatidylinositol, the CODEX data indicate that more than five 19F spins are within a detectable distance of about 2 nm, suggesting that the ETM pentamers cluster in the lipid bilayer. Monte Carlo simulations that take into account peptide-peptide and peptide-lipid interactions yielded pentamer clusters that reproduced the CODEX data. This supramolecular organization is likely important for E-mediated virus assembly and budding and for the channel function of the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah H. Somberg
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 170 Albany Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Westley W. Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 170 Albany Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - João Medeiros-Silva
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 170 Albany Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Aurelio J. Dregni
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 170 Albany Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Hyunil Jo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 555 Mission Bay Blvd. South, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - William F. DeGrado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 555 Mission Bay Blvd. South, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Mei Hong
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 170 Albany Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
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Kolocouris A, Arkin I, Glykos NM. A proof-of-concept study of the secondary structure of influenza A, B M2 and MERS- and SARS-CoV E transmembrane peptides using folding molecular dynamics simulations in a membrane mimetic solvent. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:25391-25402. [PMID: 36239696 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp02881f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Here, we have carried out a proof-of-concept molecular dynamics (MD) simulation with adaptive tempering in a membrane mimetic environment to study the folding of single-pass membrane peptides. We tested the influenza A M2 viroporin, influenza B M2 viroporin, and protein E from coronaviruses MERS-Cov-2 and SARS-CoV-2 peptides with known experimental secondary structures in membrane bilayers. The two influenza-derived peptides are significantly different in the peptide sequence and secondary structure and more polar than the two coronavirus-derived peptides. Through a total of more than 50 μs of simulation time that could be accomplished in trifluoroethanol (TFE), as a membrane model, we characterized comparatively the folding behavior, helical stability, and helical propensity of these transmembrane peptides that match perfectly their experimental secondary structures, and we identified common motifs that reflect their quaternary organization and known (or not) biochemical function. We showed that BM2 is organized into two structurally distinct parts: a significantly more stable N-terminal half, and a fast-converting C-terminal half that continuously folds and unfolds between α-helical structures and non-canonical structures, which are mostly turns. In AM2, both the N-terminal half and C-terminal half are very flexible. In contrast, the two coronavirus-derived transmembrane peptides are much more stable and fast helix-formers when compared with the influenza ones. In particular, the SARS-derived peptide E appears to be the fastest and most stable helix-former of all the four viral peptides studied, with a helical structure that persists almost without disruption for the whole of its 10 μs simulation. By comparing the results with experimental observations, we benchmarked TFE in studying the conformation of membrane and hydrophobic peptides. This work provided accurate results suggesting a methodology to run long MD simulations and predict structural properties of biologically important membrane peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Kolocouris
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Section of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15771, Greece.
| | - Isaiah Arkin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus Givat-Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Nicholas M Glykos
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, University Campus, Alexandroupolis, 68100, Greece.
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Henke W, Waisner H, Arachchige SP, Kalamvoki M, Stephens E. The Envelope Proteins from SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV Potently Reduce the Infectivity of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1). RESEARCH SQUARE 2022:rs.3.rs-2175808. [PMID: 36324807 PMCID: PMC9628187 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2175808/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background Viroporins are virally encoded ion channels involved in virus assembly and release. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and influenza A virus encode for viroporins. The human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 encodes for at least two viroporins, a small 75 amino acid transmembrane protein known as the envelope (E) protein and a larger 275 amino acid protein known as Orf3a. Here, we compared the replication of HIV-1 in the presence of four different β-coronavirus E proteins. Results We observed that the SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV E proteins reduced the release of infectious HIV-1 yields by approximately 100-fold while MERS-CoV or HCoV-OC43 E proteins restricted HIV-1 infectivity to a lesser extent. Mechanistically, neither reverse transcription nor mRNA synthesis was involved in the restriction. We also show that all four E proteins caused phosphorylation of eIF2-α at similar levels and that lipidation of LC3-I could not account for the differences in restriction. However, the level of caspase 3 activity in transfected cells correlated with HIV-1 restriction in cells. Finally, we show that unlike the Vpu protein of HIV-1, the four E proteins did not significantly down-regulate bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST-2). Conclusions The results of this study indicate that while viroporins from homologous viruses can enhance virus release, we show that a viroporin from a heterologous virus can suppress HIV-1 protein synthesis and release of infectious virus.
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Yang R, Wu S, Wang S, Rubino G, Nickels JD, Cheng X. Refinement of SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein structure in a native-like environment by molecular dynamics simulations. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1027223. [PMID: 36299297 PMCID: PMC9589232 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1027223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has become an unprecedented threat to human health. The SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E) protein plays a critical role in the viral maturation process and pathogenesis. Despite intensive investigation, its structure in physiological conditions remains mysterious: no high-resolution full-length structure is available and only an NMR structure of the transmembrane (TM) region has been determined. Here, we present a refined E protein structure, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate its structure and dynamics in a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) bilayer system. Our initial homology model based upon the SARS-CoV E protein structure is shown to be unstable in the lipid bilayer, and the H3 helices tend to move away from the membrane center to the membrane-water interface. A more stable model was developed by replacing all H3 helices with the fully equilibrated H3 structure sampled in the MD simulations. This refined model exhibited more favorable contacts with lipids and water than the original homology model and induced local membrane curvature, decreasing local lipid order. Interestingly, the pore radius profiles showed that the channel in both homology and refined models remained in a closed state throughout the simulations. We also demonstrated the utility of this structure to develop anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs by docking a library of FDA-approved, investigational, and experimental drugs to the refined E protein structure, identifying 20 potential channel blockers. This highlights the power of MD simulations to refine low-resolution structures of membrane proteins in a native-like membrane environment, shedding light on the structural features of the E protein and providing a platform for the development of novel antiviral treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yang
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Sijin Wu
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Sijin Wu, ; Jonathan D. Nickels, ; Xiaolin Cheng,
| | - Shen Wang
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Grace Rubino
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Jonathan D. Nickels
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Sijin Wu, ; Jonathan D. Nickels, ; Xiaolin Cheng,
| | - Xiaolin Cheng
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Translational Data Analytics Institute (TDAI), The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Sijin Wu, ; Jonathan D. Nickels, ; Xiaolin Cheng,
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