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Letko M. Functional assessment of cell entry and receptor use for merbecoviruses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.13.584892. [PMID: 38559009 PMCID: PMC10980018 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.13.584892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The merbecovirus subgenus of coronaviruses includes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which is a zoonotic respiratory pathogen that transmits from dromedary camels to humans and causes severe respiratory disease. Viral discovery efforts have uncovered hundreds of merbecoviruses in different species across multiple continents, but few of these viruses have been isolated or studied under laboratory conditions, leaving basic questions regarding their threat to humans unresolved. Viral entry into host cells is considered an early and critical step for transmission between hosts. In this study, a scalable approach to assessing novel merbecovirus cell entry was developed and used to measure receptor use across the entire merbecovirus subgenus. Merbecoviruses are sorted into four clades based on the receptor binding domain of the spike glycoprotein. Receptor tropism is clade-specific, with only one clade using DPP4 and multiple clades using ACE2, including the entire HKU5 cluster of bat coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Letko
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99163
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2
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Choi A, Kots ED, Singleton DT, Weinstein H, Whittaker GR. Analysis of the molecular determinants for furin cleavage of the spike protein S1/S2 site in defined strains of the prototype coronavirus murine hepatitis virus (MHV). Virus Res 2024; 340:199283. [PMID: 38043726 PMCID: PMC10755501 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199283] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
We analyzed the spike protein S1/S2 cleavage of selected strains of a prototype coronavirus, mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) by the cellular protease furin, in order to understand the structural requirements underlying the sequence selectivity of the scissile segment. The probability of cleavage of selected MHV strains was first evaluated from furin cleavage scores predicted by the ProP computer software, and then cleavage was measured experimentally with a fluorogenic peptide cleavage assay consisting of S1/S2 peptide mimics and purified furin. We found that in vitro cleavability varied across MHV strains in line with predicted results-but with the notable exception of MHV-A59, which was not cleaved despite a high score predicted for its sequence. Using the known X-Ray structure of furin in complex with a substrate-like inhibitor as an initial structural reference, we carried out molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to learn the modes of binding of the peptides in the furin active site, and the suitability of the complex for initiation of the enzymatic cleavage. We identified the 3D structural requirements of the furin active site configuration that enable bound peptides to undergo cleavage, and the way in which the various strains tested experimentally are fulfilling these requirements. We find that despite some flexibility in the organization of the peptide bound to the active site of the enzyme, the presence of a histidine at P2 of MHV-A59 fails to properly orient the sidechain of His194 of the furin catalytic triad and therefore produces a distortion that renders the peptide/complex structural configuration in the active site incompatible with requirements for cleavage initiation. The Ser/Thr in P1 of MHV-2 and MHV-S has a similar effect of distorting the conformation of the furin active site residues produced by the elimination of the canonical salt-bridge formed by arginine in P1 position. This work informs a study of coronavirus infection and pathogenesis with respect to the function of the viral spike protein, and suggests an important process of viral adaptation and evolution within the spike S1/S2 structural loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Choi
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ekaterina D Kots
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Harel Weinstein
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Gary R Whittaker
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Public & Ecosystem Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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3
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Sahanic S, Hilbe R, Dünser C, Tymoszuk P, Löffler-Ragg J, Rieder D, Trajanoski Z, Krogsdam A, Demetz E, Yurchenko M, Fischer C, Schirmer M, Theurl M, Lener D, Hirsch J, Holfeld J, Gollmann-Tepeköylü C, Zinner CP, Tzankov A, Zhang SY, Casanova JL, Posch W, Wilflingseder D, Weiss G, Tancevski I. SARS-CoV-2 activates the TLR4/MyD88 pathway in human macrophages: A possible correlation with strong pro-inflammatory responses in severe COVID-19. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21893. [PMID: 38034686 PMCID: PMC10686889 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21893] [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: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a pivotal role in the immunologic response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Exaggerated inflammatory response of innate immune cells, however, may drive morbidity and death in Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Objective We investigated the engagement of SARS-CoV-2 with TLR4 in order to better understand how to tackle hyperinflammation in COVID-19. Methods We combined RNA-sequencing data of human lung tissue and of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells derived from COVID-19 patients with functional studies in human macrophages using SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and viable SARS-CoV-2. Pharmacological inhibitors as well as gene editing with CRISPR/Cas9 were used to delineate the signalling pathways involved. Results We found TLR4 to be the most abundantly upregulated TLR in human lung tissue irrespective of the underlying pathology. Accordingly, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells from patients with severe COVID-19 showed an NF-κB-pathway dominated immune response, whereas they were mostly defined by type I interferon signalling in moderate COVID-19. Mechanistically, we found the Spike ectodomain, but not receptor binding domain monomer to induce TLR4-dependent inflammation in human macrophages. By using pharmacological inhibitors as well as CRISPR/Cas9 deleted macrophages, we identify SARS-CoV-2 to engage canonical TLR4-MyD88 signalling. Importantly, we demonstrate that TLR4 blockage prevents exaggerated inflammatory responses in human macrophages infected with different SARS-CoV-2 variants, including immune escape variants B.1.1.7.-E484K and B.1.1.529 (omicron). Conclusion Our study critically extends the current knowledge on TLR-mediated hyperinflammatory responses to SARS-CoV-2 in human macrophages, paving the way for novel approaches to tackle severe COVID-19. Take-home message Our study combining human lung transcriptomics with functional studies in human macrophages clearly supports the design and development of TLR4 - directed therapeutics to mitigate hyperinflammation in severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Sahanic
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Richard Hilbe
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christina Dünser
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Piotr Tymoszuk
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Judith Löffler-Ragg
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dietmar Rieder
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Zlatko Trajanoski
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anne Krogsdam
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Egon Demetz
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maria Yurchenko
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- The Central Norway Regional Health Authority, St. Olavs Hospital HF, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Christine Fischer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael Schirmer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Markus Theurl
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniela Lener
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jakob Hirsch
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johannes Holfeld
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Carl P. Zinner
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexandar Tzankov
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shen-Ying Zhang
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, INSERM U1163, Necker Hospital for Sick Children, Paris, France
- University of Paris, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jean-Laurent Casanova
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, INSERM U1163, Necker Hospital for Sick Children, Paris, France
- University of Paris, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Wilfried Posch
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Doris Wilflingseder
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Guenter Weiss
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ivan Tancevski
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Takahashi T, Ueno S, Sugiura Y, Shimizu K, Kamitani W. Establishment of a new reverse genetics system for respiratory syncytial virus under the control of RNA polymerase II. Microbiol Immunol 2023; 67:413-421. [PMID: 37424190 DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.13088] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
A reverse genetics system for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes acute respiratory illness, is an effective tool for understanding the pathogenicity of RSV. To date, a method dependent on T7 RNA polymerase is commonly used for RSV. Although this method is well established and recombinant RSV is well rescued from transfected cells, the requirement for artificial supply of T7 RNA polymerase limits its application. To overcome this, we established a reverse genetics system dependent on RNA polymerase II, which is more convenient for the recovery of recombinant viruses from various cell lines. First, we identified human cell lines with high transfection efficiency in which RSV can replicate effectively. Two human cell lines, Huh-7 and 293T, permitted the propagation of recombinant green fluorescent protein-expressing RSV. Our minigenome system revealed that efficient transcription and replication of RSV occurred in both Huh-7 and 293T cells. We then confirmed that recombinant green fluorescent protein-expressing RSV was rescued in both Huh-7 and 293T cells. Furthermore, the growth capability of viruses rescued from Huh-7 and 293T cells was similar to that of recombinant RSV rescued using the conventional method. Thus, we succeeded in establishing a new reverse genetics system for RSV that is dependent on RNA polymerase II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuki Takahashi
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi-shi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Shiori Ueno
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi-shi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Yoshiro Sugiura
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi-shi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Kenta Shimizu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi-shi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Wataru Kamitani
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi-shi, Gunma, Japan
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5
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Zhang L, Zhao Y, Yang J, Zhu Y, Li T, Liu X, Zhang P, Cheng J, Sun S, Wei C, Fu J. CTSL, a prognostic marker of breast cancer, that promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion in cells in triple-negative breast cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1158087. [PMID: 37456247 PMCID: PMC10342200 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1158087] [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: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In the world, the incidence of breast cancer has surpassed that of lung cancer, and it has become the first malignant tumor among women. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) shows an extremely heterogeneous malignancy toward high recurrence, metastasis, and mortality, but there is a lack of effective targeted therapy. It is urgent to develop novel molecular targets in the occurrence and therapeutics for TNBC, and novel therapeutic strategies to block the recurrence and metastasis of TNBC. Methods In this study, CTSL (cathepsin L) expression in tissues and adjacent tissues of TNBC patients was monitored by immunohistochemistry and western blots. The correlations between CTSL expressions and clinicopathological characteristics in the patient tissues for TNBC were analyzed. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion assay were also performed when over-expressed or knocked-down CTSL. Results We found that the level of CTSL in TNBC is significantly higher than that in the matched adjacent tissues, and associated with differentiated degree, TNM Stage, tumor size, and lymph node metastatic status in TNBC patients. The high level of CTSL was correlated with a short RFS (p<0.001), OS (p<0.001), DMFS (p<0.001), PPS (p= 0.0025) in breast cancer from online databases; while in breast cancer with lymph node-positive, high level of CTSL was correlated with a short DMFS (p<0.001) and RFS (p<0.001). Moreover, in vitro experiments showed that CTSL overexpression promotes the abilities for proliferation, migration, and invasion in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, while knocking-down CTSL decreases its characteristics in MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Conclusion CTSL might involve into the regulation of the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of TNBC. Thus, CTSL would be a novel, potential therapeutic, and prognostic target of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianmei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Huai’an No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Department of Pathology, Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Huai’an No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Institute of Science and Technology, Yueyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yaning Zhu
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Huai’an No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ting Li
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jingliang Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Suan Sun
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Huai’an No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chunli Wei
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Junjiang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
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Sun Q, Li X, Kuang E. Subversion of autophagy machinery and organelle-specific autophagy by SARS-CoV-2 and coronaviruses. Autophagy 2023; 19:1055-1069. [PMID: 36005882 PMCID: PMC10012907 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2116677] [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: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
As a new emerging severe coronavirus, the knowledge on the SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 remains very limited, whereas many concepts can be learned from the homologous coronaviruses. Macroautophagy/autophagy is finely regulated by SARS-CoV-2 infection and plays important roles in SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenesis. This review will explore the subversion and mechanism of the autophagy-related machinery, vacuoles and organelle-specific autophagy during infection of SARS-CoV-2 and coronaviruses to provide meaningful insights into the autophagy-related therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases of SARS-CoV-2 and coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinqin Sun
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaojuan Li
- College of Clinic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ersheng Kuang
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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7
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Kandeel M. An overview of the recent progress in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:385-400. [PMID: 36971501 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2192921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has remained a public health concern since it first emerged in 2012. Although many potential treatments for MERS-CoV have been developed and tested, none have had complete success in stopping the spread of this deadly disease. MERS-CoV replication comprises attachment, entry, fusion and replication steps. Targeting these events may lead to the creation of medications that effectively treat MERS-CoV infection. AREAS COVERED This review updates the research on the development of inhibitors of MERS-CoV. The main topics are MERS-CoV‒related proteins and host cell proteins that are involved in viral protein activation and infection. EXPERT OPINION Research on discovering drugs that can inhibit MERS-CoV started at a slow pace, and although efforts have steadily increased, clinical trials for new drugs specifically targeting MERS-CoV have not been extensive enough. The explosion in efforts to find new medications for the SARS-CoV-2 virus indirectly enhanced the volume of data on MERS-CoV inhibition by including MERS-CoV in drug assays. The appearance of COVID-19 completely transformed the data available on MERS-CoV inhibition. Despite the fact that new infected cases are constantly being diagnosed, there are currently no approved vaccines for or inhibitors of MERS-CoV.
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Pozzi C, Vanet A, Francesconi V, Tagliazucchi L, Tassone G, Venturelli A, Spyrakis F, Mazzorana M, Costi MP, Tonelli M. Antitarget, Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Leads, Drugs, and the Drug Discovery-Genetics Alliance Perspective. J Med Chem 2023; 66:3664-3702. [PMID: 36857133 PMCID: PMC10005815 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The most advanced antiviral molecules addressing major SARS-CoV-2 targets (Main protease, Spike protein, and RNA polymerase), compared with proteins of other human pathogenic coronaviruses, may have a short-lasting clinical efficacy. Accumulating knowledge on the mechanisms underlying the target structural basis, its mutational progression, and the related biological significance to virus replication allows envisaging the development of better-targeted therapies in the context of COVID-19 epidemic and future coronavirus outbreaks. The identification of evolutionary patterns based solely on sequence information analysis for those targets can provide meaningful insights into the molecular basis of host-pathogen interactions and adaptation, leading to drug resistance phenomena. Herein, we will explore how the study of observed and predicted mutations may offer valuable suggestions for the application of the so-called "synthetic lethal" strategy to SARS-CoV-2 Main protease and Spike protein. The synergy between genetics evidence and drug discovery may prioritize the development of novel long-lasting antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Pozzi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy,
University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena,
Italy
| | - Anne Vanet
- Université Paris Cité,
CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013 Paris,
France
| | - Valeria Francesconi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of
Genoa, viale Benedetto XV n.3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Tagliazucchi
- Department of Life Science, University of
Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 103, 41125 Modena,
Italy
- Doctorate School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine
(CEM), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287,
41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giusy Tassone
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy,
University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena,
Italy
| | - Alberto Venturelli
- Department of Life Science, University of
Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 103, 41125 Modena,
Italy
| | - Francesca Spyrakis
- Department of Drug Science and Technology,
University of Turin, Via Giuria 9, 10125 Turin,
Italy
| | - Marco Mazzorana
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and
Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE,
U.K.
| | - Maria P. Costi
- Department of Life Science, University of
Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 103, 41125 Modena,
Italy
| | - Michele Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of
Genoa, viale Benedetto XV n.3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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COVID-19 signalome: Potential therapeutic interventions. Cell Signal 2023; 103:110559. [PMID: 36521656 PMCID: PMC9744501 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered intensive research and development of drugs and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 during the last two years. The major success was especially observed with development of vaccines based on viral vectors, nucleic acids and whole viral particles, which have received emergent authorization leading to global mass vaccinations. Although the vaccine programs have made a big impact on COVID-19 spread and severity, emerging novel variants have raised serious concerns about vaccine efficacy. Due to the urgent demand, drug development had originally to rely on repurposing of antiviral drugs developed against other infectious diseases. For both drug and vaccine development the focus has been mainly on SARS-CoV-2 surface proteins and host cell receptors involved in viral attachment and entry. In this review, we expand the spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 targets by investigating the COVID-19 signalome. In addition to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, the envelope, membrane, and nucleoprotein targets have been subjected to research. Moreover, viral proteases have presented the possibility to develop different strategies for the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication and spread. Several signaling pathways involving the renin-angiotensin system, angiotensin-converting enzymes, immune pathways, hypoxia, and calcium signaling have provided attractive alternative targets for more efficient drug development.
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10
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Tang M, Zhang X, Huang Y, Cheng W, Qu J, Gui S, Li L, Li S. Peptide-based inhibitors hold great promise as the broad-spectrum agents against coronavirus. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1093646. [PMID: 36741878 PMCID: PMC9893414 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1093646] [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: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and the recent SARS-CoV-2 are lethal coronaviruses (CoVs) that have caused dreadful epidemic or pandemic in a large region or globally. Infections of human respiratory systems and other important organs by these pathogenic viruses often results in high rates of morbidity and mortality. Efficient anti-viral drugs are needed. Herein, we firstly take SARS-CoV-2 as an example to present the molecular mechanism of CoV infection cycle, including the receptor binding, viral entry, intracellular replication, virion assembly, and release. Then according to their mode of action, we provide a summary of anti-viral peptides that have been reported in peer-reviewed publications. Even though CoVs can rapidly evolve to gain resistance to the conventional small molecule drugs, peptide-based inhibitors targeting various steps of CoV lifecycle remain a promising approach. Peptides can be continuously modified to improve their antiviral efficacy and spectrum along with the emergence of new viral variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Tang
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China,Department of Otolaryngology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China,School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanhong Huang
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China,School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenxiang Cheng
- Center for Translational Medicine Research and Development, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Qu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuiqing Gui
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China,*Correspondence: Shuiqing Gui, ✉
| | - Liang Li
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China,Liang Li, ✉
| | - Shuo Li
- Department of Otolaryngology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China,Shuo Li, ✉
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Khattab ESAEH, Ragab A, Abol-Ftouh MA, Elhenawy AA. Therapeutic strategies for Covid-19 based on molecular docking and dynamic studies to the ACE-2 receptors, Furin, and viral spike proteins. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:13291-13309. [PMID: 34647855 PMCID: PMC8544674 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1989036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a pandemic virus that caused infections and deaths in many world countries, including the Middle East. The virus-infected human cells by binding via ACE-2 receptor through the Spike protein of the virus with Furin's help causing cell membrane fusion leading to Covid-19-cell entry. No registered drugs or vaccines are triggering this pandemic viral disease yet. Our present work is based on molecular docking and dynamics simulation that performed to spike protein-ACE-2 interface complex, ACE-2 receptor, Spike protein (RBD), and Furin as targets for new small molecules. These drugs target new potential therapies to show their probabilities toward the active sites of mentioned proteins, strongly causing inhibition and/or potential therapy for covid-19. All target proteins were estimated against new target compounds under clinical trials and repurposing drugs currently present. Possibilities of those molecules and potential therapeutics acting on a certain target were predicted. MD simulations over 200 ns with molecular mechanics-generalized Born surface area (MMGBSA) binding energy calculations were performed. The structural and energetic analyses demonstrated the stability of the ligands-MPros complex. Our present work will introduce new visions of some biologically active molecules for further studies in-vitro and in-vivo for Covid-19, repurposing of these molecules should be taking place under clinical works and offering different strategies for drugs repurposing against Covid-19 diseases.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ahmed Ragab
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt,CONTACT Ahmed Ragab ; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo11884, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud A. Abol-Ftouh
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt,Mahmoud A. Abol-Ftouh Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo11884, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A. Elhenawy
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
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12
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SARS-CoV-2 Spike Furin Cleavage Site and S2' Basic Residues Modulate the Entry Process in a Host Cell-Dependent Manner. J Virol 2022; 96:e0047422. [PMID: 35678602 PMCID: PMC9278140 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00474-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) envelope glycoprotein constitutes the main determinant of virus entry and the target of host immune response, thus being of great interest for antiviral research. It is constituted of S1 and S2 subunits, which are involved in ACE2 receptor binding and fusion between the viral envelope and host cell membrane, respectively. Induction of the fusion process requires S cleavage at the S1-S2 junction and the S2′ site located upstream of the fusion peptide. Interestingly, the SARS-CoV-2 spike harbors a 4-residue insertion at the S1-S2 junction that is absent in its closest relatives and constitutes a polybasic motif recognized by furin-like proteases. In addition, the S2′ site is characterized by the presence of conserved basic residues. Here, we sought to determine the importance of the furin cleavage site (FCS) and the S2′ basic residues for S-mediated entry functions. We determined the impact of mutations introduced at these sites on S processing, fusogenic activity, and its ability to mediate entry in different cellular backgrounds. Strikingly, mutation phenotypes were highly dependent on the host cell background. We confirmed that although the FCS was not absolutely required for virus entry, it contributed to extending the fusogenic potential of S. Cleavage site mutations, as well as inhibition of furin protease activity, affected the cell surface expression of S in a host cell-dependent manner. Finally, inhibition of furin activity differentially affected SARS-CoV-2 virus infectivity in the tested host cells, thereby confirming the host cell-dependent effect of spike processing for the viral life cycle. IMPORTANCE SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the current global pandemic that has resulted in several million deaths. As the key determinant of virus entry into host cells and the main target of host immune response, the spike glycoprotein constitutes an attractive target for therapeutics development. Entry functions of spike rely on its processing at two sites by host cell proteases. While SARS-CoV-2 spike differs from its closest relatives by the insertion of a basic furin cleavage motif at the first site, it harbors conserved basic residues at the second cleavage site. Characterization of the importance of the basic sequences present at the two cleavage sites revealed that they were influencing spike processing, intracellular localization, induction of fusion, and entry in a host cell-dependent manner. Thus, our results revealed a high heterogeneity in spike sequence requirement for entry functions in the different host cells, in agreement with the high adaptability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
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13
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Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic demonstrates the threat posed by novel coronaviruses to human health. Coronaviruses share a highly conserved cell entry mechanism mediated by the spike protein, the sole product of the S gene. The structural dynamics by which the spike protein orchestrates infection illuminate how antibodies neutralize virions and how S mutations contribute to viral fitness. Here, we review the process by which spike engages its proteinaceous receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and how host proteases prime and subsequently enable efficient membrane fusion between virions and target cells. We highlight mutations common among severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern and discuss implications for cell entry. Ultimately, we provide a model by which sarbecoviruses are activated for fusion competency and offer a framework for understanding the interplay between humoral immunity and the molecular evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike. In particular, we emphasize the relevance of the Canyon Hypothesis (M. G. Rossmann, J Biol Chem 264:14587-14590, 1989) for understanding evolutionary trajectories of viral entry proteins during sustained intraspecies transmission of a novel viral pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle A Wolf
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Interdiscipinary Ph.D. Program in Structural and Computational Biology and Quantitative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jason C Kwan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jeremy P Kamil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
- Center for Excellence in Emerging Viral Threats, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
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14
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Wettstein L, Kirchhoff F, Münch J. The Transmembrane Protease TMPRSS2 as a Therapeutic Target for COVID-19 Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031351. [PMID: 35163273 PMCID: PMC8836196 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
TMPRSS2 is a type II transmembrane protease with broad expression in epithelial cells of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, the prostate, and other organs. Although the physiological role of TMPRSS2 remains largely elusive, several endogenous substrates have been identified. TMPRSS2 serves as a major cofactor in SARS-CoV-2 entry, and primes glycoproteins of other respiratory viruses as well. Consequently, inhibiting TMPRSS2 activity is a promising strategy to block viral infection. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of TMPRSS2 in the entry processes of different respiratory viruses. We then review the different classes of TMPRSS2 inhibitors and their clinical development, with a focus on COVID-19 treatment.
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15
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Lan Q, Xia S, Lu L. Coronavirus Entry Inhibitors. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1366:101-121. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-8702-0_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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16
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Kesheh MM, Hosseini P, Soltani S, Zandi M. An overview on the seven pathogenic human coronaviruses. Rev Med Virol 2021; 32:e2282. [PMID: 34339073 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
To date, seven human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have been detected: HCoV-NL63, HCoV-229E, HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-OC43, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2. Four of these viruses, including HCoV-NL63, -229E, -HKU1 and -OC43, usually cause mild-to-moderate respiratory diseases with a seasonal pattern. Since 2000, three new HCoVs have emerged with a significant mortality rate. Although SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV caused an epidemic in some countries, SARS-CoV-2 escalated into a pandemic. All HCoVs can cause severe complications in the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. The bat origin of HCoVs, the presence of intermediate hosts and the nature of their viral replication suggest that other new coronaviruses may emerge in the future. Despite the fact that all HCoVs share similarities in viral replication, they differ in their accessory proteins, incubation period and pathogenicity. This study aims to review these differences between the seven HCoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Mobini Kesheh
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parastoo Hosseini
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Clinical Virology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saber Soltani
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Clinical Virology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Milad Zandi
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Clinical Virology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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17
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Chen F, Shi Q, Pei F, Vogt A, Porritt RA, Garcia G, Gomez AC, Cheng MH, Schurdak ME, Liu B, Chan SY, Arumugaswami V, Stern AM, Taylor DL, Arditi M, Bahar I. A systems-level study reveals host-targeted repurposable drugs against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mol Syst Biol 2021; 17:e10239. [PMID: 34339582 PMCID: PMC8328275 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202110239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection and identifying potential therapeutics are global imperatives. Using a quantitative systems pharmacology approach, we identified a set of repurposable and investigational drugs as potential therapeutics against COVID-19. These were deduced from the gene expression signature of SARS-CoV-2-infected A549 cells screened against Connectivity Map and prioritized by network proximity analysis with respect to disease modules in the viral-host interactome. We also identified immuno-modulating compounds aiming at suppressing hyperinflammatory responses in severe COVID-19 patients, based on the transcriptome of ACE2-overexpressing A549 cells. Experiments with Vero-E6 cells infected by SARS-CoV-2, as well as independent syncytia formation assays for probing ACE2/SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-mediated cell fusion using HEK293T and Calu-3 cells, showed that several predicted compounds had inhibitory activities. Among them, salmeterol, rottlerin, and mTOR inhibitors exhibited antiviral activities in Vero-E6 cells; imipramine, linsitinib, hexylresorcinol, ezetimibe, and brompheniramine impaired viral entry. These novel findings provide new paths for broadening the repertoire of compounds pursued as therapeutics against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Chen
- Department of Computational and Systems BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
- School of MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Qingya Shi
- Department of Computational and Systems BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
- School of MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Fen Pei
- Department of Computational and Systems BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery InstitutePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Andreas Vogt
- Department of Computational and Systems BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery InstitutePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Rebecca A Porritt
- Department of PediatricsDivision of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and ImmunologyCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCAUSA
- Biomedical Sciences, Infectious and Immunologic Diseases Research CenterCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Gustavo Garcia
- Department of Molecular and Medical PharmacologyDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell ResearchUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Angela C Gomez
- Department of PediatricsDivision of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and ImmunologyCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Mary Hongying Cheng
- Department of Computational and Systems BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
| | - Mark E Schurdak
- Department of Computational and Systems BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery InstitutePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Computational and Systems BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
| | - Stephen Y Chan
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine InstituteUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical CenterPittsburghPAUSA
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical CenterPittsburghPAUSA
| | - Vaithilingaraja Arumugaswami
- Department of Molecular and Medical PharmacologyDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell ResearchUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Andrew M Stern
- Department of Computational and Systems BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery InstitutePittsburghPAUSA
| | - D Lansing Taylor
- Department of Computational and Systems BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery InstitutePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Moshe Arditi
- Department of PediatricsDivision of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and ImmunologyCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCAUSA
- Biomedical Sciences, Infectious and Immunologic Diseases Research CenterCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Ivet Bahar
- Department of Computational and Systems BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
- University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery InstitutePittsburghPAUSA
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18
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Sarker J, Das P, Sarker S, Roy AK, Momen AZMR. A Review on Expression, Pathological Roles, and Inhibition of TMPRSS2, the Serine Protease Responsible for SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Activation. SCIENTIFICA 2021; 2021:2706789. [PMID: 34336361 PMCID: PMC8313365 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2706789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, uses the host cell membrane receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for anchoring its spike protein, and the subsequent membrane fusion process is facilitated by host membrane proteases. Recent studies have shown that transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), a protease known for similar role in previous coronavirus infections, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), is responsible for the proteolytic cleavage of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, enabling host cell fusion of the virus. TMPRSS2 is known to be expressed in the epithelial cells of different sites including gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary system. The infection site of the SARS-CoV-2 correlates with the coexpression sites of ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Besides, age-, sex-, and comorbidity-associated variation in infection rate correlates with the expression rate of TMPRSS2 in those groups. These findings provide valid reasons for the assumption that inhibiting TMPRSS2 can have a beneficial effect in reducing the cellular entry of the virus, ultimately affecting the infection rate and case severity. Several drug development studies are going on to develop potential inhibitors of the protease, using both conventional and computational approaches. Complete understanding of the biological roles of TMPRSS2 is necessary before such therapies are applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotirmoy Sarker
- Department of Pharmacy, Jagannath University, Dhaka 1100, Bangladesh
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Pritha Das
- Independent Author, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Sabarni Sarker
- Department of Pharmacy, Jagannath University, Dhaka 1100, Bangladesh
| | - Apurba Kumar Roy
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
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19
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Barge S, Jade D, Gosavi G, Talukdar NC, Borah J. In-silico screening for identification of potential inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2). Eur J Pharm Sci 2021; 162:105820. [PMID: 33775827 PMCID: PMC7997164 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2021.105820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
A new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a respiratory infection out broke in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, resulted in pandemic conditions worldwide. COVID-19 spread swiftly around the world over with an alert of an emergency for an adequate drug. Therefore, in this research, we repurposed the FDA-approved medicines to find the prominent drug used to cure the COVID infected patients. We performed homology modeling of the transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), responsible for the viral entry. The prediction of the transmembrane region and the Conserved Domain in TMPRSS2 protein was made for docking. 4182 FDA-approved compounds from the ZINC database were downloaded and used for the calculation of physicochemical properties. Two thousand eight hundred fifteen screened compounds were used for molecular docking against the modelled protein structure. From which top hit compounds based on binding energy were extracted. At 1st site pose, ZINC3830554 showed the highest binding energy -12.91kcal/mol by forming Salt Bridge at LYS143, Hydrogen bond at ALA8, VAL45, HIS47, SER142, ASN277, ASN359, and TRP363. The hydrophobic Interactions at PHE3, LEU4, ALA7, ALA8, ALA139, PRO197, and PHE266. In the 2nd site pose, ZINC203686879 shows the highest binding energy (-12.56 kcal/mol) and forms a hydrophobic interaction with VAL187, VAL189, HIS205, LYS301, GLN347, TRP370 and hydrogen bond was at GLY300, THR302, GLN347, SER350 residues. These hit compounds were subjected to stability checks between the protein-ligand complex through the dynamics simulation (MD), and binding free energy was calculated through the Molecular Mechanics energies combined with Poisson-Boltzmann (MM/PBSA) method. We hope that hit compounds would be an efficient inhibitor that can block the TMPRSS2 activity and resist the entry of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into targeted human cells by reducing the virus's infectivity and transmissibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagar Barge
- Chemical Biology Lab I, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Paschim Boragaon, Guwahati-35, Assam, India
| | - Dhananjay Jade
- JSS College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Ooty, 643001, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Gokul Gosavi
- Institute of Plant Protection Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Narayan Chandra Talukdar
- Chemical Biology Lab I, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Paschim Boragaon, Guwahati-35, Assam, India.; Assam Down Town University, Panikhaiti, Guwahati, Assam 781006, India
| | - Jagat Borah
- Chemical Biology Lab I, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Paschim Boragaon, Guwahati-35, Assam, India..
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20
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Najafi Fard S, Petrone L, Petruccioli E, Alonzi T, Matusali G, Colavita F, Castilletti C, Capobianchi MR, Goletti D. In Vitro Models for Studying Entry, Tissue Tropism, and Therapeutic Approaches of Highly Pathogenic Coronaviruses. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:8856018. [PMID: 34239932 PMCID: PMC8221881 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8856018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are enveloped nonsegmented positive-sense RNA viruses belonging to the family Coronaviridae that contain the largest genome among RNA viruses. Their genome encodes 4 major structural proteins, and among them, the Spike (S) protein plays a crucial role in determining the viral tropism. It mediates viral attachment to the host cell, fusion to the membranes, and cell entry using cellular proteases as activators. Several in vitro models have been developed to study the CoVs entry, pathogenesis, and possible therapeutic approaches. This article is aimed at summarizing the current knowledge about the use of relevant methodologies and cell lines permissive for CoV life cycle studies. The synthesis of this information can be useful for setting up specific experimental procedures. We also discuss different strategies for inhibiting the binding of the S protein to the cell receptors and the fusion process which may offer opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Najafi Fard
- Translational Research Unit, Epidemiology and Preclinical Research Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Linda Petrone
- Translational Research Unit, Epidemiology and Preclinical Research Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Petruccioli
- Translational Research Unit, Epidemiology and Preclinical Research Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Tonino Alonzi
- Translational Research Unit, Epidemiology and Preclinical Research Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Matusali
- Laboratory of Virology, Epidemiology and Preclinical Research Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Colavita
- Laboratory of Virology, Epidemiology and Preclinical Research Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Castilletti
- Laboratory of Virology, Epidemiology and Preclinical Research Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Capobianchi
- Laboratory of Virology, Epidemiology and Preclinical Research Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Delia Goletti
- Translational Research Unit, Epidemiology and Preclinical Research Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
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21
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22
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Tang T, Jaimes JA, Bidon MK, Straus MR, Daniel S, Whittaker GR. Proteolytic Activation of SARS-CoV-2 Spike at the S1/S2 Boundary: Potential Role of Proteases beyond Furin. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:264-272. [PMID: 33432808 PMCID: PMC7839419 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses its spike (S) protein to mediate viral entry into host cells. Cleavage of the S protein at the S1/S2 and/or S2' site(s) is associated with viral entry, which can occur at either the cell plasma membrane (early pathway) or the endosomal membrane (late pathway), depending on the cell type. Previous studies show that SARS-CoV-2 has a unique insert at the S1/S2 site that can be cleaved by furin, which appears to expand viral tropism to cells with suitable protease and receptor expression. Here, we utilize viral pseudoparticles and protease inhibitors to study the impact of the S1/S2 cleavage on infectivity. Our results demonstrate that S1/S2 cleavage is essential for early pathway entry into Calu-3 cells, a model lung epithelial cell line, but not for late pathway entry into Vero E6 cells, a model cell line. The S1/S2 cleavage was found to be processed by other proteases beyond furin. Using bioinformatic tools, we also analyze the presence of a furin S1/S2 site in related CoVs and offer thoughts on the origin of the insertion of the furin-like cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Tang
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and
Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
14853, United States
| | - Javier A. Jaimes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United
States
| | - Miya K. Bidon
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and
Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
14853, United States
| | - Marco R. Straus
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United
States
| | - Susan Daniel
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and
Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
14853, United States
| | - Gary R. Whittaker
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United
States
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23
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Sallard E, Halloy J, Casane D, Decroly E, van Helden J. Tracing the origins of SARS-COV-2 in coronavirus phylogenies: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS 2021; 19:769-785. [PMID: 33558807 PMCID: PMC7859469 DOI: 10.1007/s10311-020-01151-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a new human coronavirus (CoV), which emerged in China in late 2019 and is responsible for the global COVID-19 pandemic that caused more than 97 million infections and 2 million deaths in 12 months. Understanding the origin of this virus is an important issue, and it is necessary to determine the mechanisms of viral dissemination in order to contain future epidemics. Based on phylogenetic inferences, sequence analysis and structure-function relationships of coronavirus proteins, informed by the knowledge currently available on the virus, we discuss the different scenarios on the origin-natural or synthetic-of the virus. The data currently available are not sufficient to firmly assert whether SARS-CoV2 results from a zoonotic emergence or from an accidental escape of a laboratory strain. This question needs to be solved because it has important consequences on the risk/benefit balance of our interactions with ecosystems, on intensive breeding of wild and domestic animals, on some laboratory practices and on scientific policy and biosafety regulations. Regardless of COVID-19 origin, studying the evolution of the molecular mechanisms involved in the emergence of pandemic viruses is essential to develop therapeutic and vaccine strategies and to prevent future zoonoses. This article is a translation and update of a French article published in Médecine/Sciences, August/September 2020 (10.1051/medsci/2020123). Supplementary Information The online version of this article (10.1007/s10311-020-01151-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwan Sallard
- École Normale Supérieure de Paris, 45 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - José Halloy
- Université de Paris, CNRS, LIED UMR 8236, 85 bd Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Didier Casane
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Université de Paris, UFR Sciences du Vivant, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Etienne Decroly
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, UMR 7257, AFMB, Case 925, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - Jacques van Helden
- CNRS, Institut Français de Bioinformatique, IFB-core, UMS 3601, Evry, France
- Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, Lab. Theory and Approaches of Genome Complexity (TAGC), Marseille, France
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24
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Kropp KA, Srivaratharajan S, Ritter B, Yu P, Krooss S, Polten F, Pich A, Alcami A, Viejo-Borbolla A. Identification of the Cleavage Domain within Glycoprotein G of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2. Viruses 2020; 12:v12121428. [PMID: 33322659 PMCID: PMC7763493 DOI: 10.3390/v12121428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycoprotein G (gG) from herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2, respectively) functions as a viral chemokine binding protein (vCKBP). Soluble recombinant forms of gG of HSV-1 and HSV-2 (SgG1 and SgG2, respectively) enhance chemokine-mediated leukocyte migration, in contrast to most known vCKBPs, including those from animal alpha-herpesviruses. Furthermore, both proteins bind to nerve growth factor (NGF), but only SgG2 enhances NGF-dependent neurite outgrowth. The basis and implications of this functional difference between the two proteins are still unknown. While gG1 and gG2 are positional homologues in the genome, they share very limited sequence homology. In fact, US4, the open reading frame encoding gG is the most divergent genetic locus between these viruses. Full-length gG1 and gG2 are type I transmembrane proteins located on the plasma membrane of infected cells and at the viral envelope. However, gG2 is larger than gG1 and is cleaved during protein maturation, secreting the N-terminal domain to the supernatant of infected cells, whereas gG1 is not. The enzyme involved in gG2 cleavage and the functional relevance of gG2 cleavage and secretion are unknown. We aim to identify the gG2 sequence required for cleavage to determine its functional role in future experiments. Our results prove the existence of at least two cleavage motifs in gG2 within the amino acid region 314-343. Transfer of this sequence to a fusion protein results in cleavage. Finally, we show that propeptide convertases like furin are responsible for gG2 cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai A. Kropp
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (K.A.K.); (S.S.); (B.R.); (P.Y.); (S.K.)
| | - Sangar Srivaratharajan
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (K.A.K.); (S.S.); (B.R.); (P.Y.); (S.K.)
| | - Birgit Ritter
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (K.A.K.); (S.S.); (B.R.); (P.Y.); (S.K.)
| | - Pengfei Yu
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (K.A.K.); (S.S.); (B.R.); (P.Y.); (S.K.)
| | - Simon Krooss
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (K.A.K.); (S.S.); (B.R.); (P.Y.); (S.K.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Felix Polten
- Core Facility Proteomics, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (F.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Andreas Pich
- Core Facility Proteomics, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (F.P.); (A.P.)
- Institute for Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Antonio Alcami
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Abel Viejo-Borbolla
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (K.A.K.); (S.S.); (B.R.); (P.Y.); (S.K.)
- Correspondence:
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25
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Milewska A, Falkowski K, Kulczycka M, Bielecka E, Naskalska A, Mak P, Lesner A, Ochman M, Urlik M, Diamandis E, Prassas I, Potempa J, Kantyka T, Pyrc K. Kallikrein 13 serves as a priming protease during infection by the human coronavirus HKU1. Sci Signal 2020; 13:13/659/eaba9902. [PMID: 33234691 PMCID: PMC7857416 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aba9902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Unlike SARS-CoV-2, the human coronavirus HKU1 normally causes relatively mild respiratory tract infections; however, it shares with SARS-CoV-2 the mechanism of using its surface spike (S) protein to enter target cells. Because the host receptor for HCoV-HKU1 is unknown, efforts to study the virus in cell culture systems have proved difficult. Milewska et al. found that knockout of the protease kallikrein 13 (KLK13) in human airway epithelial cells blocked their infection by HCoV-HKU1, that overexpression of KLK13 in nonpermissive cells enabled their infection by the virus, and that KLK13 cleaved the viral S protein. Together, these findings suggest that KLK13 is a priming enzyme for viral entry and may help to establish cell lines that can facilitate further investigation of the mechanism of viral pathogenesis. Human coronavirus HKU1 (HCoV-HKU1) is associated with respiratory disease and is prevalent worldwide, but an in vitro model for viral replication is lacking. An interaction between the coronaviral spike (S) protein and its receptor is the primary determinant of tissue and host specificity; however, viral entry is a complex process requiring the concerted action of multiple cellular elements. Here, we found that the protease kallikrein 13 (KLK13) was required for the infection of human respiratory epithelial cells and was sufficient to mediate the entry of HCoV-HKU1 into nonpermissive RD cells. We also demonstrated the cleavage of the HCoV-HKU1 S protein by KLK13 in the S1/S2 region, suggesting that KLK13 is the priming enzyme for this virus. Together, these data suggest that protease distribution and specificity determine the tissue and cell specificity of the virus and may also regulate interspecies transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Milewska
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.,Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Katherine Falkowski
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Kulczycka
- Laboratory of Proteolysis and Post-translational Modification of Proteins, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Ewa Bielecka
- Laboratory of Proteolysis and Post-translational Modification of Proteins, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Antonina Naskalska
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Pawel Mak
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7 St., 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Adam Lesner
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Marek Ochman
- Department of Cardiac, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and Transplantology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Maciej Urlik
- Department of Cardiac, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and Transplantology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Elftherios Diamandis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ioannis Prassas
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada.,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jan Potempa
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.,Centre for Oral Health and Systemic Diseases, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Tomasz Kantyka
- Laboratory of Proteolysis and Post-translational Modification of Proteins, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.,Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Krzysztof Pyrc
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.
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26
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Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide since its first incidence in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Although the case fatality rate of COVID-19 appears to be lower than that of SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), the higher transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 has caused the total fatality to surpass other viral diseases, reaching more than 1 million globally as of October 6, 2020. The rate at which the disease is spreading calls for a therapy that is useful for treating a large population. Multiple intersecting viral and host factor targets involved in the life cycle of the virus are being explored. Because of the frequent mutations, many coronaviruses gain zoonotic potential, which is dependent on the presence of cell receptors and proteases, and therefore the targeting of the viral proteins has some drawbacks, as strain-specific drug resistance can occur. Moreover, the limited number of proteins in a virus makes the number of available targets small. Although SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 share common mechanisms of entry and replication, there are substantial differences in viral proteins such as the spike (S) protein. In contrast, targeting cellular factors may result in a broader range of therapies, reducing the chances of developing drug resistance. In this Review, we discuss the role of primary host factors such as the cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), cellular proteases of S protein priming, post-translational modifiers, kinases, inflammatory cells, and their pharmacological intervention in the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Mathew Tharappel
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Subodh Kumar Samrat
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Zhong Li
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Hongmin Li
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12201, USA
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27
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Duda-Chodak A, Lukasiewicz M, Zięć G, Florkiewicz A, Filipiak-Florkiewicz A. Covid-19 pandemic and food: Present knowledge, risks, consumers fears and safety. Trends Food Sci Technol 2020; 105:145-160. [PMID: 32921922 PMCID: PMC7480472 DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2020.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 is a pandemic disease that has paralyzed social life and the economy around the world since the end of 2019, and which has so far killed nearly 600,000 people. The rapidity of its spread and the lack of detailed research on the course and methods of transmission significantly impede both its eradication and prevention. SCOPE AND APPROACH Due to the high transmission rate and fatality resulting from COVID-19 disease, the paper focuses on analyzing the current state of knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 as well as its potential connection with food as a source of pathogen and infection. KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS There is currently no evidence (scientific publications, WHO, EFSA etc.) that COVID-19 disease can spread directly through food and the human digestive system. However, according to the hypothesis regarding the primary transmission of the virus, the source of which was food of animal origin (meat of wild animals), as well as the fact that food is a basic necessity for humans, it is worth emphasizing that food can, if not directly, be a carrier of the virus. Particular attention should be paid to this indirect pathway when considering the potential for the spread of an epidemic and the development of prevention principles.
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28
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Pišlar A, Mitrović A, Sabotič J, Pečar Fonović U, Perišić Nanut M, Jakoš T, Senjor E, Kos J. The role of cysteine peptidases in coronavirus cell entry and replication: The therapeutic potential of cathepsin inhibitors. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1009013. [PMID: 33137165 PMCID: PMC7605623 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last 2 decades, several coronaviruses (CoVs) have crossed the species barrier into humans, causing highly prevalent and severe respiratory diseases, often with fatal outcomes. CoVs are a large group of enveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses, which encode large replicase polyproteins that are processed by viral peptidases to generate the nonstructural proteins (Nsps) that mediate viral RNA synthesis. Papain-like peptidases (PLPs) and chymotrypsin-like cysteine 3C-like peptidase are essential for coronaviral replication and represent attractive antiviral drug targets. Furthermore, CoVs utilize the activation of their envelope spike glycoproteins by host cell peptidases to gain entry into cells. CoVs have evolved multiple strategies for spike protein activation, including the utilization of lysosomal cysteine cathepsins. In this review, viral and host peptidases involved in CoV cell entry and replication are discussed in depth, with an emphasis on papain-like cysteine cathepsins. Furthermore, important findings on cysteine peptidase inhibitors with regard to virus attenuation are highlighted as well as the potential of such inhibitors for future treatment strategies for CoV-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Pišlar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ana Mitrović
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jerica Sabotič
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urša Pečar Fonović
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Tanja Jakoš
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Emanuela Senjor
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janko Kos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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29
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Örd M, Faustova I, Loog M. The sequence at Spike S1/S2 site enables cleavage by furin and phospho-regulation in SARS-CoV2 but not in SARS-CoV1 or MERS-CoV. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16944. [PMID: 33037310 PMCID: PMC7547067 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74101-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Spike protein of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV2 contains an insertion 680SPRRAR↓SV687 forming a cleavage motif RxxR for furin-like enzymes at the boundary of S1/S2 subunits. Cleavage at S1/S2 is important for efficient viral entry into target cells. The insertion is absent in other CoV-s of the same clade, including SARS-CoV1 that caused the 2003 outbreak. However, an analogous cleavage motif was present at S1/S2 of the Spike protein of the more distant Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus MERS-CoV. We show that a crucial third arginine at the left middle position, comprising a motif RRxR is required for furin recognition in vitro, while the general motif RxxR in common with MERS-CoV is not sufficient for cleavage. Further, we describe a surprising finding that the two serines at the edges of the insert SPRRAR↓SV can be efficiently phosphorylated by proline-directed and basophilic protein kinases. Both phosphorylations switch off furin’s ability to cleave the site. Although phospho-regulation of secreted proteins is still poorly understood, further studies, supported by a recent report of ten in vivo phosphorylated sites in the Spike protein of SARS-CoV2, could potentially uncover important novel regulatory mechanisms for SARS-CoV2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihkel Örd
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ilona Faustova
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mart Loog
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, 50411, Tartu, Estonia.
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30
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Wu C, Zheng M, Yang Y, Gu X, Yang K, Li M, Liu Y, Zhang Q, Zhang P, Wang Y, Wang Q, Xu Y, Zhou Y, Zhang Y, Chen L, Li H. Furin: A Potential Therapeutic Target for COVID-19. iScience 2020; 23:101642. [PMID: 33043282 PMCID: PMC7534598 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 broke out in the end of December 2019 and is still spreading rapidly, which has been listed as an international concerning public health emergency. We found that the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 contains a furin cleavage site, which did not exist in any other betacoronavirus subtype B. Based on a series of analysis, we speculate that the presence of a redundant furin cut site in its Spike protein is responsible for SARS-CoV-2's stronger infectious nature than other coronaviruses, which leads to higher membrane fusion efficiency. Subsequently, a library of 4,000 compounds including approved drugs and natural products was screened against furin through structure-based virtual screening and then assayed for their inhibitory effects on furin activity. Among them, an anti-parasitic drug, diminazene, showed the highest inhibition effects on furin with an IC50 of 5.42 ± 0.11 μM, which might be used for the treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Canrong Wu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Mengzhu Zheng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yueying Yang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Xiaoxia Gu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Kaiyin Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Mingxue Li
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Qingzhe Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yali Wang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Qiqi Wang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yirong Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Corresponding author
| | - Yonghui Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Corresponding author
| | - Lixia Chen
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
- Corresponding author
| | - Hua Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
- Corresponding author
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31
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Vassileva K, Marsh M, Patel S. Two-pore channels as master regulators of membrane trafficking and endocytic well-being. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 17:163-168. [PMID: 32838099 PMCID: PMC7426208 DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Two-pore channels (TPCs) are a ubiquitous class of Ca2+- and Na+-permeable ion channels expressed within the endo-lysosomal system. They have emerged as central regulators of a wide array of physiological processes intimately linked to information processing. In this short review, we highlight how molecular and chemical strategies have uncovered multiple roles for TPCs in regulating various aspects of endo-lysosomal trafficking associated with disease. We summarise advances in the identification of new small molecules to pharmacologically target TPCs for medical benefit. Lastly, we discuss possible underpinning molecular mechanism(s) that translate TPC-mediated ionic fluxes to function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Vassileva
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mark Marsh
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sandip Patel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
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32
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Biochemical Characterization of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Spike Protein Proteolytic Processing. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2099:21-37. [PMID: 31883085 PMCID: PMC7121948 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0211-9_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus spike envelope glycoprotein is an essential viral component that mediates virus entry events. Biochemical assessment of the spike protein is critical for understanding structure-function relationships and the roles of the protein in the viral life cycle. Coronavirus spike proteins are typically proteolytically processed and activated by host cell enzymes such as trypsin-like proteases, cathepsins, or proprotein-convertases. Analysis of coronavirus spike proteins by western blot allows the visualization and assessment of proteolytic processing by endogenous or exogenous proteases. Here, we present a method based on western blot analysis to investigate spike protein proteolytic cleavage by transient transfection of HEK-293 T cells allowing expression of the spike protein of the highly pathogenic Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in the presence or absence of a cellular trypsin-like transmembrane serine protease, matriptase. Such analysis enables the characterization of cleavage patterns produced by a host protease on a coronavirus spike glycoprotein.
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33
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Liu T, Luo S, Libby P, Shi GP. Cathepsin L-selective inhibitors: A potentially promising treatment for COVID-19 patients. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 213:107587. [PMID: 32470470 PMCID: PMC7255230 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The widespread coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has already infected over 4 million people worldwide, with a death toll over 280,000. Current treatment of COVID-19 patients relies mainly on antiviral drugs lopinavir/ritonavir, arbidol, and remdesivir, the anti-malarial drugs hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, and traditional Chinese medicine. There are over 2,118 on-going clinical trials underway, but to date none of these drugs have consistently proven effective. Cathepsin L (CatL) is an endosomal cysteine protease. It mediates the cleavage of the S1 subunit of the coronavirus surface spike glycoprotein. This cleavage is necessary for coronavirus entry into human host cells, virus and host cell endosome membrane fusion, and viral RNA release for next round of replication. Here we summarize data regarding seven CatL-selective inhibitors that block coronavirus entry into cultured host cells and provide a mechanism to block SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans. Given the rapid growth of the SARS-CoV-2-positive population worldwide, ready-to-use CatL inhibitors should be explored as a treatment option. We identify ten US FDA-approved drugs that have CatL inhibitory activity. We provide evidence that supports the combined use of serine protease and CatL inhibitors as a possibly safer and more effective therapy than other available therapeutics to block coronavirus host cell entry and intracellular replication, without compromising the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxiao Liu
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Songyuan Luo
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Peter Libby
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Guo-Ping Shi
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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34
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Sallard E, Halloy J, Casane D, van Helden J, Decroly É. [Tracing the origins of SARS-COV-2 in coronavirus phylogenies]. Med Sci (Paris) 2020; 36:783-796. [PMID: 32773024 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2020123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a new human coronavirus (CoV), which emerged in People's Republic of China at the end of 2019 and is responsible for the global Covid-19 pandemic that caused more than 540 000 deaths in six months. Understanding the origin of this virus is an important issue and it is necessary to determine the mechanisms of its dissemination in order to be able to contain new epidemics. Based on phylogenetic inferences, sequence analysis and structure-function relationships of coronavirus proteins, informed by the knowledge currently available, we discuss the different scenarios evoked to account for the origin - natural or synthetic - of the virus. On the basis of currently available data, it is impossible to determine whether SARS-CoV-2 is the result of a natural zoonotic emergence or an accidental escape from experimental strains. Regardless of its origin, the study of the evolution of the molecular mechanisms involved in the emergence of this pandemic virus is essential to develop therapeutic and vaccine strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwan Sallard
- École Normale Supérieure de Paris, 45 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - José Halloy
- Université de Paris, CNRS, LIED UMR 8236, 85 bd Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Didier Casane
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France - Université de Paris, UFR Sciences du Vivant, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Jacques van Helden
- CNRS, Institut Français de Bioinformatique, IFB-core, UMS 3601, Évry, France - Aix-Marseille Univ, Inserm, laboratoire Theory and approaches of genome complexity (TAGC), Marseille, France
| | - Étienne Decroly
- AFMB, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Univ, UMR 7257, Case 925, 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France
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35
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Chen L, Chen H, Dong S, Huang W, Chen L, Wei Y, Shi L, Li J, Zhu F, Zhu Z, Wang Y, Lv X, Yu X, Li H, Wei W, Zhang K, Zhu L, Qu C, Hong J, Hu C, Dong J, Qi R, Lu D, Wang H, Peng S, Hao G. The Effects of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine on ACE2-Related Coronavirus Pathology and the Cardiovascular System: An Evidence-Based Review. FUNCTION 2020; 1:zqaa012. [PMID: 38626250 PMCID: PMC7454642 DOI: 10.1093/function/zqaa012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a serious threat to global public health and there is currently no effective antiviral therapy. It has been suggested that chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which were primarily employed as prophylaxis and treatment for malaria, could be used to treat COVID-19. CQ and HCQ may be potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells, which are mediated via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and may also inhibit subsequent intracellular processes which lead to COVID-19, including damage to the cardiovascular (CV) system. However, paradoxically, CQ and HCQ have also been reported to cause damage to the CV system. In this review, we provide a critical examination of the published evidence. CQ and HCQ could potentially be useful drugs in the treatment of COVID-19 and other ACE2 involved virus infections, but the antiviral effects of CQ and HCQ need to be tested in more well-designed clinical randomized studies and their actions on the CV system need to be further elucidated. However, even if it were to turn out that CQ and HCQ are not useful drugs in practice, further studies of their mechanism of action could be helpful in improving our understanding of COVID-19 pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- Department of Medicine, Georgia Prevention Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Haiyan Chen
- Department of Endemic Disease, Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510440, China
| | - Shan Dong
- Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510180, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yuan Wei
- Center for Scientific Research and Institute of Exercise and Health, Guangzhou Sports University, Guangzhou 510500, China
| | - Liping Shi
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Jinying Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Fengfeng Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital Of University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Zhu Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital Of University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Yiyang Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiuxiu Lv
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiaohui Yu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Hongmei Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Keke Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lihong Zhu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Chen Qu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jian Hong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Chaofeng Hu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jun Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Renbin Qi
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Daxiang Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People’s Republic of China, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Huadong Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People’s Republic of China, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Shuang Peng
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Guang Hao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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36
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Kato F, Matsuyama S, Kawase M, Hishiki T, Katoh H, Takeda M. Antiviral activities of mycophenolic acid and IMD-0354 against SARS-CoV-2. Microbiol Immunol 2020; 64:635-639. [PMID: 32579258 PMCID: PMC7362101 DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.12828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the anti–severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2) activity of mycophenolic acid (MPA) and IMD‐0354 was analyzed. These compounds were chosen based on their antiviral activities against other coronaviruses. Because they also inhibit dengue virus (DENV) infection, other anti‐DENV compounds/drugs were also assessed. On SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected VeroE6/TMPRSS2 monolayers, both MPA and IMD‐0354, but not other anti‐DENV compounds/drugs, showed significant anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 activity. Although MPA reduced the viral RNA level by only approximately 100‐fold, its half maximal effective concentration was as low as 0.87 µ
m, which is easily achievable at therapeutic doses of mycophenolate mofetil. MPA targets the coronaviral papain‐like protease and an in‐depth study on its mechanism of action would be useful in the development of novel anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumihiro Kato
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shutoku Matsuyama
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miyuki Kawase
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Hishiki
- Department of Microbiology, Kanagawa Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Chigasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Katoh
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Takeda
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
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37
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Bestle D, Heindl MR, Limburg H, Van Lam van T, Pilgram O, Moulton H, Stein DA, Hardes K, Eickmann M, Dolnik O, Rohde C, Klenk HD, Garten W, Steinmetzer T, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E. TMPRSS2 and furin are both essential for proteolytic activation of SARS-CoV-2 in human airway cells. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 3:3/9/e202000786. [PMID: 32703818 PMCID: PMC7383062 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 507] [Impact Index Per Article: 126.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel emerged SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread around the world causing acute infection of the respiratory tract (COVID-19) that can result in severe disease and lethality. For SARS-CoV-2 to enter cells, its surface glycoprotein spike (S) must be cleaved at two different sites by host cell proteases, which therefore represent potential drug targets. In the present study, we show that S can be cleaved by the proprotein convertase furin at the S1/S2 site and the transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) at the S2' site. We demonstrate that TMPRSS2 is essential for activation of SARS-CoV-2 S in Calu-3 human airway epithelial cells through antisense-mediated knockdown of TMPRSS2 expression. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 replication was also strongly inhibited by the synthetic furin inhibitor MI-1851 in human airway cells. In contrast, inhibition of endosomal cathepsins by E64d did not affect virus replication. Combining various TMPRSS2 inhibitors with furin inhibitor MI-1851 produced more potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 than an equimolar amount of any single serine protease inhibitor. Therefore, this approach has considerable therapeutic potential for treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Bestle
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Hannah Limburg
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Thuy Van Lam van
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Pilgram
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Hong Moulton
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - David A Stein
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Gießen, Germany
| | - Markus Eickmann
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Marburg-Gießen-Langen Site, Emerging Infections Unit, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Olga Dolnik
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Marburg-Gießen-Langen Site, Emerging Infections Unit, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Cornelius Rohde
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Marburg-Gießen-Langen Site, Emerging Infections Unit, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Wolfgang Garten
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
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38
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Kim SY, Jin W, Sood A, Montgomery DW, Grant OC, Fuster MM, Fu L, Dordick JS, Woods RJ, Zhang F, Linhardt RJ. Characterization of heparin and severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike glycoprotein binding interactions. Antiviral Res 2020; 181:104873. [PMID: 32653452 PMCID: PMC7347485 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in a pandemic and continues to spread around the globe at an unprecedented rate. To date, no effective therapeutic is available to fight its associated disease, COVID-19. Our discovery of a novel insertion of glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-binding motif at S1/S2 proteolytic cleavage site (681-686 (PRRARS)) and two other GAG-binding-like motifs within SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (SGP) led us to hypothesize that host cell surface GAGs may interact SARS-CoV-2 SGPs to facilitate host cell entry. Using a surface plasmon resonance direct binding assay, we found that both monomeric and trimeric SARS-CoV-2 SGP bind more tightly to immobilized heparin (KD = 40 pM and 73 pM, respectively) than the SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV SGPs (500 nM and 1 nM, respectively). In competitive binding studies, the IC50 of heparin, tri-sulfated non-anticoagulant heparan sulfate, and non-anticoagulant low molecular weight heparin against SARS-CoV-2 SGP binding to immobilized heparin were 0.056 μM, 0.12 μM, and 26.4 μM, respectively. Finally, unbiased computational ligand docking indicates that heparan sulfate interacts with the GAG-binding motif at the S1/S2 site on each monomer interface in the trimeric SARS-CoV-2 SGP, and at another site (453-459 (YRLFRKS)) when the receptor-binding domain is in an open conformation. The current study serves a foundation to further investigate biological roles of GAGs in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. Furthermore, our findings may provide additional basis for further heparin-based interventions for COVID-19 patients exhibiting thrombotic complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Young Kim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, Medical and Research Sections, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Weihua Jin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Amika Sood
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David W Montgomery
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Oliver C Grant
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Mark M Fuster
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, Medical and Research Sections, La Jolla, CA, USA; Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Li Fu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan S Dordick
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Robert J Woods
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Fuming Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.
| | - Robert J Linhardt
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA; Department of Biological Science, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA; Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.
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39
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Straus MR, Tang T, Lai AL, Flegel A, Bidon M, Freed JH, Daniel S, Whittaker GR. Ca 2+ Ions Promote Fusion of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus with Host Cells and Increase Infectivity. J Virol 2020. [PMID: 32295925 DOI: 10.1101/2019.12.18.881391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Fusion with, and subsequent entry into, the host cell is one of the critical steps in the life cycle of enveloped viruses. For Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the spike (S) protein is the main determinant of viral entry. Proteolytic cleavage of the S protein exposes its fusion peptide (FP), which initiates the process of membrane fusion. Previous studies on the related severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) FP have shown that calcium ions (Ca2+) play an important role in fusogenic activity via a Ca2+ binding pocket with conserved glutamic acid (E) and aspartic acid (D) residues. SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV FPs share a high sequence homology, and here, we investigated whether Ca2+ is required for MERS-CoV fusion by screening a mutant array in which E and D residues in the MERS-CoV FP were substituted with neutrally charged alanines (A). Upon verifying mutant cell surface expression and proteolytic cleavage, we tested their ability to mediate pseudoparticle (PP) infection of host cells in modulating Ca2+ environments. Our results demonstrate that intracellular Ca2+ enhances MERS-CoV wild-type (WT) PP infection by approximately 2-fold and that E891 is a crucial residue for Ca2+ interaction. Subsequent electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments revealed that this enhancement could be attributed to Ca2+ increasing MERS-CoV FP fusion-relevant membrane ordering. Intriguingly, isothermal calorimetry showed an approximate 1:1 MERS-CoV FP to Ca2+ ratio, as opposed to an 1:2 SARS-CoV FP to Ca2+ ratio, suggesting significant differences in FP Ca2+ interactions of MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV FP despite their high sequence similarity.IMPORTANCE Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a major emerging infectious disease with zoonotic potential and has reservoirs in dromedary camels and bats. Since its first outbreak in 2012, the virus has repeatedly transmitted from camels to humans, with 2,468 confirmed cases causing 851 deaths. To date, there are no efficacious drugs and vaccines against MERS-CoV, increasing its potential to cause a public health emergency. In order to develop novel drugs and vaccines, it is important to understand the molecular mechanisms that enable the virus to infect host cells. Our data have found that calcium is an important regulator of viral fusion by interacting with negatively charged residues in the MERS-CoV FP region. This information can guide therapeutic solutions to block this calcium interaction and also repurpose already approved drugs for this use for a fast response to MERS-CoV outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco R Straus
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Tiffany Tang
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Alex L Lai
- ACERT, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Annkatrin Flegel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
- Institute of Veterinary Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Miya Bidon
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Jack H Freed
- ACERT, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Susan Daniel
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Gary R Whittaker
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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40
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Ca 2+ Ions Promote Fusion of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus with Host Cells and Increase Infectivity. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.00426-20. [PMID: 32295925 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00426-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusion with, and subsequent entry into, the host cell is one of the critical steps in the life cycle of enveloped viruses. For Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the spike (S) protein is the main determinant of viral entry. Proteolytic cleavage of the S protein exposes its fusion peptide (FP), which initiates the process of membrane fusion. Previous studies on the related severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) FP have shown that calcium ions (Ca2+) play an important role in fusogenic activity via a Ca2+ binding pocket with conserved glutamic acid (E) and aspartic acid (D) residues. SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV FPs share a high sequence homology, and here, we investigated whether Ca2+ is required for MERS-CoV fusion by screening a mutant array in which E and D residues in the MERS-CoV FP were substituted with neutrally charged alanines (A). Upon verifying mutant cell surface expression and proteolytic cleavage, we tested their ability to mediate pseudoparticle (PP) infection of host cells in modulating Ca2+ environments. Our results demonstrate that intracellular Ca2+ enhances MERS-CoV wild-type (WT) PP infection by approximately 2-fold and that E891 is a crucial residue for Ca2+ interaction. Subsequent electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments revealed that this enhancement could be attributed to Ca2+ increasing MERS-CoV FP fusion-relevant membrane ordering. Intriguingly, isothermal calorimetry showed an approximate 1:1 MERS-CoV FP to Ca2+ ratio, as opposed to an 1:2 SARS-CoV FP to Ca2+ ratio, suggesting significant differences in FP Ca2+ interactions of MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV FP despite their high sequence similarity.IMPORTANCE Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a major emerging infectious disease with zoonotic potential and has reservoirs in dromedary camels and bats. Since its first outbreak in 2012, the virus has repeatedly transmitted from camels to humans, with 2,468 confirmed cases causing 851 deaths. To date, there are no efficacious drugs and vaccines against MERS-CoV, increasing its potential to cause a public health emergency. In order to develop novel drugs and vaccines, it is important to understand the molecular mechanisms that enable the virus to infect host cells. Our data have found that calcium is an important regulator of viral fusion by interacting with negatively charged residues in the MERS-CoV FP region. This information can guide therapeutic solutions to block this calcium interaction and also repurpose already approved drugs for this use for a fast response to MERS-CoV outbreaks.
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41
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Tang T, Bidon M, Jaimes JA, Whittaker GR, Daniel S. Coronavirus membrane fusion mechanism offers a potential target for antiviral development. Antiviral Res 2020. [PMID: 32272173 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has focused attention on the need to develop effective therapies against the causative agent, SARS-CoV-2, and also against other pathogenic coronaviruses (CoV) that have emerged in the past or might appear in future. Researchers are therefore focusing on steps in the CoV replication cycle that may be vulnerable to inhibition by broad-spectrum or specific antiviral agents. The conserved nature of the fusion domain and mechanism across the CoV family make it a valuable target to elucidate and develop pan-CoV therapeutics. In this article, we review the role of the CoV spike protein in mediating fusion of the viral and host cell membranes, summarizing the results of research on SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and recent peer-reviewed studies of SARS-CoV-2, and suggest that the fusion mechanism be investigated as a potential antiviral target. We also provide a supplemental file containing background information on the biology, epidemiology, and clinical features of all human-infecting coronaviruses, along with a phylogenetic tree of these coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Tang
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Miya Bidon
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Javier A Jaimes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Gary R Whittaker
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Susan Daniel
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
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42
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Tang T, Bidon M, Jaimes JA, Whittaker GR, Daniel S. Coronavirus membrane fusion mechanism offers a potential target for antiviral development. Antiviral Res 2020; 178:104792. [PMID: 32272173 PMCID: PMC7194977 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 508] [Impact Index Per Article: 127.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has focused attention on the need to develop effective therapies against the causative agent, SARS-CoV-2, and also against other pathogenic coronaviruses (CoV) that have emerged in the past or might appear in future. Researchers are therefore focusing on steps in the CoV replication cycle that may be vulnerable to inhibition by broad-spectrum or specific antiviral agents. The conserved nature of the fusion domain and mechanism across the CoV family make it a valuable target to elucidate and develop pan-CoV therapeutics. In this article, we review the role of the CoV spike protein in mediating fusion of the viral and host cell membranes, summarizing the results of research on SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and recent peer-reviewed studies of SARS-CoV-2, and suggest that the fusion mechanism be investigated as a potential antiviral target. We also provide a supplemental file containing background information on the biology, epidemiology, and clinical features of all human-infecting coronaviruses, along with a phylogenetic tree of these coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Tang
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Miya Bidon
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Javier A Jaimes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Gary R Whittaker
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Susan Daniel
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
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43
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Potential Therapeutic Targeting of Coronavirus Spike Glycoprotein Priming. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25102424. [PMID: 32455942 PMCID: PMC7287953 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25102424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Processing of certain viral proteins and bacterial toxins by host serine proteases is a frequent and critical step in virulence. The coronavirus spike glycoprotein contains three (S1, S2, and S2′) cleavage sites that are processed by human host proteases. The exact nature of these cleavage sites, and their respective processing proteases, can determine whether the virus can cross species and the level of pathogenicity. Recent comparisons of the genomes of the highly pathogenic SARS-CoV2 and MERS-CoV, with less pathogenic strains (e.g., Bat-RaTG13, the bat homologue of SARS-CoV2) identified possible mutations in the receptor binding domain and in the S1 and S2′ cleavage sites of their spike glycoprotein. However, there remains some confusion on the relative roles of the possible serine proteases involved for priming. Using anthrax toxin as a model system, we show that in vivo inhibition of priming by pan-active serine protease inhibitors can be effective at suppressing toxicity. Hence, our studies should encourage further efforts in developing either pan-serine protease inhibitors or inhibitor cocktails to target SARS-CoV2 and potentially ward off future pandemics that could develop because of additional mutations in the S-protein priming sequence in coronaviruses.
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44
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Cao Y, Su B, Guo X, Sun W, Deng Y, Bao L, Zhu Q, Zhang X, Zheng Y, Geng C, Chai X, He R, Li X, Lv Q, Zhu H, Deng W, Xu Y, Wang Y, Qiao L, Tan Y, Song L, Wang G, Du X, Gao N, Liu J, Xiao J, Su XD, Du Z, Feng Y, Qin C, Qin C, Jin R, Xie XS. Potent Neutralizing Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Identified by High-Throughput Single-Cell Sequencing of Convalescent Patients' B Cells. Cell 2020; 182:73-84.e16. [PMID: 32425270 PMCID: PMC7231725 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 910] [Impact Index Per Article: 227.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic urgently needs therapeutic and prophylactic interventions. Here, we report the rapid identification of SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies by high-throughput single-cell RNA and VDJ sequencing of antigen-enriched B cells from 60 convalescent patients. From 8,558 antigen-binding IgG1+ clonotypes, 14 potent neutralizing antibodies were identified, with the most potent one, BD-368-2, exhibiting an IC50 of 1.2 and 15 ng/mL against pseudotyped and authentic SARS-CoV-2, respectively. BD-368-2 also displayed strong therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy in SARS-CoV-2-infected hACE2-transgenic mice. Additionally, the 3.8 Å cryo-EM structure of a neutralizing antibody in complex with the spike-ectodomain trimer revealed the antibody’s epitope overlaps with the ACE2 binding site. Moreover, we demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies could be directly selected based on similarities of their predicted CDR3H structures to those of SARS-CoV-neutralizing antibodies. Altogether, we showed that human neutralizing antibodies could be efficiently discovered by high-throughput single B cell sequencing in response to pandemic infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Cao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG) & Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Bin Su
- Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xianghua Guo
- Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Wenjie Sun
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG) & Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yongqiang Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Linlin Bao
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qinyu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences (CLS), Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Singlomics (Beijing DanXu Pharmaceuticals), Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yinghui Zheng
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG) & Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Chenyang Geng
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG) & Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiaoran Chai
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG) & Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Runsheng He
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG) & Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Qi Lv
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Deng
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yanfeng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yanjun Wang
- Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Luxin Qiao
- Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yafang Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Liyang Song
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG) & Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Guopeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxia Du
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG) & Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Gao
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences (CLS), Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangning Liu
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Junyu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences (CLS), Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Su
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG) & Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zongmin Du
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yingmei Feng
- Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Chuan Qin
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Chengfeng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, China.
| | - Ronghua Jin
- Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
| | - X Sunney Xie
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG) & Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences (CLS), Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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45
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Tse LV, Meganck RM, Graham RL, Baric RS. The Current and Future State of Vaccines, Antivirals and Gene Therapies Against Emerging Coronaviruses. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:658. [PMID: 32390971 PMCID: PMC7193113 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging coronaviruses (CoV) are constant global public health threats to society. Multiple ongoing clinical trials for vaccines and antivirals against CoVs showcase the availability of medical interventions to both prevent and treat the future emergence of highly pathogenic CoVs in human. However, given the diverse nature of CoVs and our close interactions with wild, domestic and companion animals, the next epidemic zoonotic CoV could resist the existing vaccines and antivirals developed, which are primarily focused on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS CoV). In late 2019, the novel CoV (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, China, causing global public health concern. In this review, we will summarize the key advancements of current vaccines and antivirals against SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV as well as discuss the challenge and opportunity in the current SARS-CoV-2 crisis. At the end, we advocate the development of a "plug-and-play" platform technologies that could allow quick manufacturing and administration of broad-spectrum countermeasures in an outbreak setting. We will discuss the potential of AAV-based gene therapy technology for in vivo therapeutic antibody delivery to combat SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and the future emergence of severe CoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longping V. Tse
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Rita M. Meganck
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Rachel L. Graham
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Ralph S. Baric
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Abstract
A novel betacoronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which caused a large respiratory outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019, is currently spreading across many countries globally. Here, we show that a TMPRSS2-expressing VeroE6 cell line is highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, making it useful for isolating and propagating SARS-CoV-2. Our results reveal that, in common with SARS- and Middle East respiratory syndrome-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 infection is enhanced by TMPRSS2.
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Biochemical Analysis of Coronavirus Spike Glycoprotein Conformational Intermediates during Membrane Fusion. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00785-19. [PMID: 31315988 PMCID: PMC6744234 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00785-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A fusion protein expressed on the surface of enveloped viruses mediates fusion of the viral and cellular membranes to facilitate virus infection. Pre- and postfusion structures of viral fusion proteins have been characterized, but conformational changes between them remain poorly understood. Here, we examined the intermediate conformation of the murine coronavirus fusion protein, called the spike protein, which must be cleaved by a cellular protease following receptor binding. Western blot analysis of protease digestion products revealed that two subunits (67 and 69 kDa) are produced from a single spike protein (180 kDa). These two subunits were considered to be by-products derived from conformational changes and were useful for probing the intermediate conformation of the spike protein. Interaction with a heptad repeat (HR) peptide revealed that these subunits adopt packed and unpacked conformations, respectively, and two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed a trimeric assembly. Based on biochemical observations, we propose an asymmetric trimer model for the intermediate structure of the spike protein. Receptor binding induces the membrane-binding potential of the trimer, in which at least one HR motif forms a packed-hairpin structure, while membrane fusion subunits are covered by the receptor-binding subunit, thereby preventing the spike protein from forming the typical homotrimeric prehairpin structure predicted by the current model of class I viral fusion protein. Subsequent proteolysis induces simultaneous packing of the remaining unpacked HRs upon assembly of three HRs at the central axis to generate a six-helix bundle. Our model proposes a key mechanism for membrane fusion of enveloped viruses.IMPORTANCE Recent studies using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) revealed the mechanism underlying activation of viral fusion protein at the priming stage. However, characterizing the subsequent triggering stage underpinning transition from pre- to postfusion structures is difficult because single-particle cryoEM excludes unstable structures that appear as heterogeneous shapes. Therefore, population-based biochemical analysis is needed to capture features of unstable proteins. Here, we analyzed protease digestion products of a coronavirus fusion protein during activation; their sizes appear to be affected directly by the conformational state. We propose a model for the viral fusion protein in the intermediate state, which involves a compact structure and conformational changes that overcome steric hindrance within the three fusion protein subunits.
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48
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Izaguirre G. The Proteolytic Regulation of Virus Cell Entry by Furin and Other Proprotein Convertases. Viruses 2019; 11:v11090837. [PMID: 31505793 PMCID: PMC6784293 DOI: 10.3390/v11090837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A wide variety of viruses exploit furin and other proprotein convertases (PCs) of the constitutive protein secretion pathway in order to regulate their cell entry mechanism and infectivity. Surface proteins of enveloped, as well as non-enveloped, viruses become processed by these proteases intracellularly during morphogenesis or extracellularly after egress and during entry in order to produce mature virions activated for infection. Although viruses also take advantage of other proteases, it is when some viruses become reactive with PCs that they may develop high pathogenicity. Besides reacting with furin, some viruses may also react with the PCs of the other specificity group constituted by PC4/PC5/PACE4/PC7. The targeting of PCs for inhibition may result in a useful strategy to treat infections with some highly pathogenic viruses. A wide variety of PC inhibitors have been developed and tested for their antiviral activity in cell-based assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Izaguirre
- College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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49
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Fénéant L, Szymańska-de Wijs KM, Nelson EA, White JM. An exploration of conditions proposed to trigger the Ebola virus glycoprotein for fusion. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219312. [PMID: 31276481 PMCID: PMC6611598 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ebolaviruses continue to inflict horrific disease and instill fear. The 2013–2016 outbreak in Western Africa caused unfathomable morbidity and mortality (over 11,000 deaths), and the second largest outbreak is on-going in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The first stage of an Ebolavirus infection is entry, culminating in delivery of the viral genome into the cytoplasm to initiate replication. Among enveloped viruses, Ebolaviruses use a complex entry pathway: they bind to attachment factors on cell surfaces, are engulfed by macropinocytosis, and traffic through the endosomal system. En route, the receptor binding subunit of the glycoprotein (GP) is reduced from ~130 to ~19 kDa by cathepsins. This event allows cleaved GP (GPcl) to bind to Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1), its endosomal receptor. The virus then fuses with a late endosomal membrane, but how this occurs remains a subject of debate. An early, but standing, observation is that entry of particles bearing GPcl is inhibited by agents that raise endosomal pH or inhibit cysteine proteases, suggesting the need for an additional factor(s). Yet, some have concluded that NPC1 is sufficient to trigger the fusion activity of GPcl. Here, we re-examined this question using sensitive cell-cell and pseudovirus-cell fusion assays. We did not observe detectable GPcl-mediated fusion with NPC1 or its GPcl binding domain at any pH tested, while robust fusion was consistently observed with GP from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus at low pH. Addition of proposed fusion-enhancing factors—cations (Ca++ and K+), a reducing agent, the anionic lipid Bis(Monoacylglycero)Phosphate, and a mixture of cathepsins B and L—did not induce detectable fusion. Our findings are in line with the earlier proposal that an additional factor is required to trigger the full fusion activity of GPcl after binding to NPC1. We discuss caveats to our study and what the missing factor(s) might be.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Fénéant
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | | | - Elizabeth A. Nelson
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Judith M. White
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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50
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Shirato K, Melaku SK, Kawachi K, Nao N, Iwata-Yoshikawa N, Kawase M, Kamitani W, Matsuyama S, Tessema TS, Sentsui H. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Dromedaries in Ethiopia Is Antigenically Different From the Middle East Isolate EMC. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1326. [PMID: 31275264 PMCID: PMC6593072 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is an emerging respiratory disease caused by the MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV). MERS has been endemic to Saudi Arabia since 2012. The reservoir of MERS-CoV is the dromedary camel, suggesting that MERS is primarily a zoonotic disease. MERS-CoV is common in dromedaries throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and East Africa as evidenced by neutralizing antibodies against MERS-CoV; however, human cases have remained limited to the Middle East. To better understand the cause of this difference, the virological properties of African camel MERS-CoV were analyzed based on the spike (S) protein in Ethiopia. Nasal swabs were collected from 258 young dromedaries (≤ 2 years old) in the Afar region of Ethiopia, of which 39 were positive for MERS-CoV, as confirmed by genetic tests. All positive tests were exclusive to the Amibara woreda region. Using next-generation sequencing, two full-length genomes of Amibara isolates were successfully decoded; both isolates belonged to the C2 clade based on phylogenetic analysis of full-length and S protein sequences. Recombinant EMC isolates of MERS-CoV, in which the S protein is replaced with those of Amibara isolates, were then generated to test the roles of these proteins in viral properties. Amibara S recombinants replicated more slowly in cultured cells than in EMC S recombinants. In neutralizing assays, Amibara S recombinants were neutralized by lower concentrations of sera from both Ethiopian dromedaries and EMC isolate (wild-type)-immunized mouse sera, relative to the EMC S recombinants, indicating that viruses coated in the Amibara S protein were easier to neutralize than the EMC S protein. Neutralization experiments performed using S1/S2 chimeric recombinants of the EMC and Amibara S proteins showed that the neutralization profile was dependent on the S1 region of the S protein. These results suggest that the slower viral replication and the ease of neutralization seen in the Ethiopian MERS-CoV are due to strain-specific differences in the S protein and may account for the absence of human MERS-CoV cases in Ethiopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Shirato
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Musashimurayama, Japan
| | - Simenew Keskes Melaku
- Department of Biotechnology, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Kengo Kawachi
- Laboratory of Clinical Research on Infectious Diseases, Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Naganori Nao
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Musashimurayama, Japan
| | - Naoko Iwata-Yoshikawa
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Musashimurayama, Japan
| | - Miyuki Kawase
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Musashimurayama, Japan
| | - Wataru Kamitani
- Laboratory of Clinical Research on Infectious Diseases, Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Shutoku Matsuyama
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Musashimurayama, Japan
| | | | - Hiroshi Sentsui
- Laboratory of Veterinary Epizootiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Japan
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