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Sinha A, Roy S. Intrinsically Disordered Regions Function as a Cervical Collar to Remotely Regulate the Nodding Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Prefusion Spike Heads. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:8393-8405. [PMID: 37738458 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c05338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 prefusion spike heads (receptor binding domains, RBDs) frequently nod down and up to interact with host cell receptors. As the spike protein is a trimeric unit of significant size, to understand its large-scale structural dynamics associated with the nodding mechanism and the mutational impact on the same, we develop a topological symmetry-information-loaded coarse-grained structure-based model of a spike trimer using recent cryo-EM structural data. Our study reveals the control of two distant intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), namely, 630 and FPPR loops, over the nodding dynamics of spike heads. We find that the order-disorder transition of IDRs becomes more evident in the variants of concern (VOCs) that are associated with the characteristic mutation, D614G, in the proximity of these IDRs. In some VOCs, the two other mutations A570D and S982A also show an integral effect. The driver mutation D614G instigates a salt-bridge disruption, altering the order-disorder dynamics of both 630 and FPPR loops and their interaction with the C-terminal domains (CTD1/CTD2). This altered connectivity in these mutants allows the two IDRs to act collectively as a "cervical collar" for the RBD, supporting various spike head postures, consistent with cryo-EM results available for specific cases. The IDRs' control over the spike structure and dynamics presents an exciting opportunity where they can be targeted as remote operational switches to artificially maneuver the nod for effective therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anushree Sinha
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, West Bengal, India
| | - Susmita Roy
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, West Bengal, India
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2
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Guerrini G, Mehn D, Fumagalli F, Gioria S, Pedotti M, Simonelli L, Bianchini F, Robbiani DF, Varani L, Calzolai L. Analytical Ultracentrifugation Detects Quaternary Rearrangements and Antibody-Induced Conformational Selection of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Trimer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14875. [PMID: 37834322 PMCID: PMC10573103 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914875] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) analysis shows that the SARS-CoV-2 trimeric Spike (S) protein adopts different quaternary conformations in solution. The relative abundance of the "open" and "close" conformations is temperature-dependent, and samples with different storage temperature history have different open/close distributions. Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) targeting the S receptor binding domain (RBD) do not alter the conformer populations; by contrast, a NAb targeting a cryptic conformational epitope skews the Spike trimer toward an open conformation. The results highlight AUC, which is typically applied for molecular mass determination of biomolecules as a powerful tool for detecting functionally relevant quaternary protein conformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuditta Guerrini
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy; (G.G.); (D.M.); (F.F.); (S.G.)
| | - Dora Mehn
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy; (G.G.); (D.M.); (F.F.); (S.G.)
| | - Francesco Fumagalli
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy; (G.G.); (D.M.); (F.F.); (S.G.)
| | - Sabrina Gioria
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy; (G.G.); (D.M.); (F.F.); (S.G.)
| | - Mattia Pedotti
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; (M.P.); (L.S.); (F.B.); (D.F.R.)
| | - Luca Simonelli
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; (M.P.); (L.S.); (F.B.); (D.F.R.)
| | - Filippo Bianchini
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; (M.P.); (L.S.); (F.B.); (D.F.R.)
| | - Davide F. Robbiani
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; (M.P.); (L.S.); (F.B.); (D.F.R.)
| | - Luca Varani
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; (M.P.); (L.S.); (F.B.); (D.F.R.)
| | - Luigi Calzolai
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy; (G.G.); (D.M.); (F.F.); (S.G.)
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Bhattacharya M, Chatterjee S, Sharma AR, Lee SS, Chakraborty C. Delta variant (B.1.617.2) of SARS-CoV-2: current understanding of infection, transmission, immune escape, and mutational landscape. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2023; 68:17-28. [PMID: 35962276 PMCID: PMC9374302 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-022-01001-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The Delta variant is one of the alarming variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that have been immensely detrimental and a significant cause of the prolonged pandemic (B.1.617.2). During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic from December 2020 to October 2021, the Delta variant showed global dominance, and afterwards, the Omicron variant showed global dominance. Delta shows high infectivity rate which accounted for nearly 70% of the cases after December 2020. This review discusses the additional attributes that make the Delta variant so infectious and transmissible. The study also focuses on the significant mutations, namely the L452R and T478K present on the receptor-binding domain of spike (S)-glycoprotein, which confers specific alterations to the Delta variant. Considerably, we have also highlighted other notable factors such as the immune escape, infectivity and re-infectivity, vaccine escape, Ro number, S-glycoprotein stability, cleavage pattern, and its binding affinity with the host cell receptor protein. We have also emphasized clinical manifestations, symptomatology, morbidity, and mortality for the Delta variant compared with other significant SARS-CoV-2 variants. This review will help the researchers to get an elucidative view of the Delta variant to adopt some practical strategies to minimize the escalating spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manojit Bhattacharya
- Department of Zoology, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Balasore-756020, Odisha, India
| | - Srijan Chatterjee
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700126, India
| | - Ashish Ranjan Sharma
- Institute for Skeletal Aging & Orthopaedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon-si, 24252, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Soo Lee
- Institute for Skeletal Aging & Orthopaedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon-si, 24252, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Chiranjib Chakraborty
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700126, India.
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Vergara NG, Gatchel M, Abrams CF. Entropic Overcompensation of the N501Y Mutation on SARS-CoV-2 S Binding to ACE2. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:633-642. [PMID: 36584335 PMCID: PMC9843633 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Recent experimental work has shown that the N501Y mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein's receptor binding domain (RBD) increases binding affinity to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), primarily by overcompensating for a less favorable enthalpy of binding by greatly reducing the entropic penalty for complex formation, but the basis for this entropic overcompensation is not clear [Prévost et al. J. Biol. Chem.2021, 297, 101151]. We use all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and free-energy calculations to qualitatively assess the impact of the N501Y mutation on the enthalpy and entropy of binding of RBD to ACE2. Our calculations correctly predict that N501Y causes a less favorable enthalpy of binding to ACE2 relative to the original strain. Furthermore, we show that this is overcompensated for by a more entropically favorable increase in large-scale quaternary flexibility and intraprotein root mean square fluctuations of residue positions upon binding in both RBD and ACE2. The enhanced quaternary flexibility stems from N501Y's ability to remodel the inter-residue interactions between the two proteins away from interactions central to the epitope and toward more peripheral interactions. These findings suggest that an important factor in determining protein-protein binding affinity is the degree to which fluctuations are distributed throughout the complex and that residue mutations that may seem to result in weaker interactions than their wild-type counterparts may yet result in increased binding affinity thanks to their ability to suppress unfavorable entropy changes upon binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Gupta Vergara
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Megan Gatchel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, 19716, United States
| | - Cameron F. Abrams
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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5
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Chan KC, Song Y, Xu Z, Shang C, Zhou R. SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant: Interplay between Individual Mutations and Their Allosteric Synergy. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12121742. [PMID: 36551170 PMCID: PMC9775976 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its first appearance in April 2021, B.1.617.2, also termed variant Delta, catalyzed one major worldwide wave dominating the second year of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite its quick disappearance worldwide, the strong virulence caused by a few point mutations remains an unsolved problem largely. Along with the other two sublineages, the Delta variant harbors an accumulation of Spike protein mutations, including the previously identified L452R, E484Q, and the newly emerged T478K on its receptor binding domain (RBD). We used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, in combination with free energy perturbation (FEP) calculations, to examine the effects of two combinative mutation sets, L452R + E484Q and L452R + T478K. Our dynamic trajectories reveal an enhancement in binding affinity between mutated RBD and the common receptor protein angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) through a net increase in the buried molecular surface area of the binary complex. This enhanced binding, mediated through Gln493, sets the same stage for all three sublineages due to the presence of L452R mutation. The other mutation component, E484Q or T478K, was found to impact the RBD-ACE2 binding and help the variant to evade several monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in a distinct manner. Especially for L452R + T478K, synergies between mutations are mediated through a complex residual and water interaction network and further enhance its binding to ACE2. Taking together, this study demonstrates that new variants of SARS-CoV-2 accomplish both "attack" (infection) and "defense" (antibody neutralization escape) with the same "polished sword" (mutated Spike RBD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C. Chan
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Study, Zhejiang University, 799 Dangui Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yi Song
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zheng Xu
- BirenTech Research, Shanghai 201112, China
| | - Chun Shang
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ruhong Zhou
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Study, Zhejiang University, 799 Dangui Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
- The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Correspondence:
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6
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Kodchakorn K, Kongtawelert P. Molecular dynamics study on the strengthening behavior of Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD improved receptor-binding affinity. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277745. [PMID: 36395151 PMCID: PMC9671323 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by a virus that can be transmitted from human to human via air droplets has changed the quality of life and economic systems all over the world. The viral DNA has mutated naturally over time leading to the diversity of coronavirus victims which has posed a serious threat to human security on a massive scale. The current variants have developed in a dominant way and are considered "Variants of Concern" by the World Health Organization (WHO). In this work, Kappa (B.1.617.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529) variants were obtained to evaluate whether naturally occurring mutations have strengthened viral infectivity. We apply reliable in silico structural dynamics and energetic frameworks of the mutated S-RBD protein for ACE2-binding to analyze and compare the structural information related to the wild-type. In particular, the hotspot residues at Q493, Q498, and N501 on the S-RBD protein were determined as contributing factors to the employment stability of the relevant binding interface. The L452R mutation induces an increment of the hydrogen bonds formed by changing the Q493 environment for ACE2 binding. Moreover, the Q493K exchange in Omicron enables the formation of two additional salt bridges, leading to a strong binding affinity by increased electrostatic interaction energy. These results could be used in proposing concrete informative data for a structure-based design engaged in finding better therapeutics against novel variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanchanok Kodchakorn
- Thailand Excellence Center for Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Prachya Kongtawelert
- Thailand Excellence Center for Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- * E-mail:
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7
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Lv N, Cao Z. RBD spatial orientation of the spike protein and its binding to ACE2: insight into the high infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant from MD simulations. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:24155-24165. [PMID: 36168828 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp03425e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The spike glycoprotein on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 envelope plays an important role in its invasion into host cells. The binding of the spike glycoprotein RBD to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor as a critical step in the spread of the virus has been explored intensively since the outbreak of COVID-19, but the high transmissibility of the virus such as the Delta variant is still not fully understood. Here, molecular simulations on the binding interactions of the wild-type spike protein and its four variants (Beta, Kappa, Delta, and Mu) with ACE2 and the antibody were performed, and the present results reveal that the residue mutations will not strengthen the binding affinity of the variant for ACE2, but remarkably influences the spatial orientation of the spike protein. Only the up-right conformational receptor binding domain (RBD) can bind ACE2, which is stabilized by the nearby RBDs in the down state, revealing that the RBD bears dual functional characteristics. The present results provide new insights into plausible mechanisms for high infectivity of the virus variants and their immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 360015, P. R. China.
| | - Zexing Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 360015, P. R. China.
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8
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Abidi M, Soheilifard R, Ghasemi RH. Comparison of the unbinding process of RBD-ACE2 complex between SARS-CoV-2 variants (Delta, delta plus, and Lambda): A steered molecular dynamics simulation. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2022.2114599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohadese Abidi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Reza Soheilifard
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
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9
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Wozney AJ, Smith MA, Abdrabbo M, Birch CM, Cicigoi KA, Dolan CC, Gerzema AEL, Hansen A, Henseler EJ, LaBerge B, Leavens CM, Le CN, Lindquist AC, Ludwig RK, O'Reilly MG, Reynolds JH, Sherman BA, Sillman HW, Smith MA, Snortheim MJ, Svaren LM, Vanderpas EC, Voon A, Wackett MJ, Weiss MM, Hati S, Bhattacharyya S. Evolution of Stronger SARS-CoV-2 Variants as Revealed Through the Lens of Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Protein J 2022; 41:444-456. [PMID: 35913554 PMCID: PMC9340756 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-022-10065-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Using molecular dynamics simulations, the protein–protein interactions of the receptor-binding domain of the wild-type and seven variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike protein and the peptidase domain of human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 were investigated. These variants are alpha, beta, gamma, delta, eta, kappa, and omicron. Using 100 ns simulation data, the residue interaction networks at the protein–protein interface were identified. Also, the impact of mutations on essential protein dynamics, backbone flexibility, and interaction energy of the simulated protein–protein complexes were studied. The protein–protein interface for the wild-type, delta, and omicron variants contained several stronger interactions, while the alpha, beta, gamma, eta, and kappa variants exhibited an opposite scenario as evident from the analysis of the inter-residue interaction distances and pair-wise interaction energies. The study reveals that two distinct residue networks at the central and right contact regions forge stronger binding affinity between the protein partners. The study provides a molecular-level insight into how enhanced transmissibility and infectivity by delta and omicron variants are most likely tied to a handful of interacting residues at the binding interface, which could potentially be utilized for future antibody constructs and structure-based antiviral drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec J Wozney
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Macey A Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Mobeen Abdrabbo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Cole M Birch
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Kelsey A Cicigoi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Connor C Dolan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Audrey E L Gerzema
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Abby Hansen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Ethan J Henseler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Ben LaBerge
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Caterra M Leavens
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Christine N Le
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Allison C Lindquist
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Rikaela K Ludwig
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Maggie G O'Reilly
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Jacob H Reynolds
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Brandon A Sherman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Hunter W Sillman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Michael A Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Marissa J Snortheim
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Levi M Svaren
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Emily C Vanderpas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Aidan Voon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Miles J Wackett
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Moriah M Weiss
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA
| | - Sanchita Hati
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA.
| | - Sudeep Bhattacharyya
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 101 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, USA.
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10
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Antony P, Jobe A, Vijayan R. Dynamics of the interaction between the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant and human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13680. [PMID: 35811809 PMCID: PMC9266696 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic is still a global public health issue. Omicron, a SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 variant, has raised concerns about transmission and vaccine effectiveness. Omicron currently has the greatest number of variantions. Methods To gain a better understanding of the significance of these variations and the dynamics of the interaction between the Omicron spike (S) protein and its human host factor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), triplicate 500 ns molecular dynamics simulations were run using the structure of the S protein's receptor-binding domain (RBD) in complex with ACE2. The interaction and binding energy, determined using the molecular mechanics-generalized Born surface area approach, were compared to the original SARS-CoV-2 and the B.1.617 variant. Results Though mutations K417N and G496S in the S protein RBD disrupt interactions found in the original SARS-CoV-2 complex, mutations Q493R and N501Y introduce interactions not found in the original complex. Interaction at a key viral hotspot and hydrophobic contacts at ACE2's N-terminus were preserved, but intermolecular hydrogen bonds and polar contacts in the S-ACE2 interface were lower than in the original SARS-CoV-2 interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Antony
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amie Jobe
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ranjit Vijayan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates,The Big Data Analytics Center, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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11
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Khan A, Khan SA, Zia K, Altowyan MS, Barakat A, Ul-Haq Z. Deciphering the Impact of Mutations on the Binding Efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta Variants With Human ACE2 Receptor. Front Chem 2022; 10:892093. [PMID: 35755247 PMCID: PMC9213841 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.892093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The pandemic of COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has globally affected the human health and economy. Since the emergence of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the life-threatening virus continues to mutate and evolve. Irrespective of acquired natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity, the emerging multiple variants are growing exponentially, crossing the territorial barriers of the modern world. The rapid emergence of SARS-CoV-2 multiple variants challenges global researchers regarding the efficacy of available vaccines and variant transmissibility. SARS-CoV-2 surface-anchored S-protein recognizes and interacts with the host-cell ACE2, facilitating viral adherence and entrance into the cell. Understanding the interfacial interactions between the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants and human ACE2 receptor is important for the design and development of antiviral therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 emerging variants. Despite extensive research, the crucial determinants related to the molecular interactions between the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants and host receptors are poorly understood. Thus, in this study, we explore the comparative interfacial binding pattern of SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD of wild type, Delta, and Omicron with the human ACE2 receptor to determine the crucial determinants at the atomistic level, using MD simulation and MM/GBSA energy calculations. Based on our findings, the substitution of Q493R, G496S, Q498R, and Y505H induced internal conformational changes in Omicron spike RBD, which leads to higher binding affinity than Delta spike RBD with the human ACE2 receptor, eventually contributing to higher transmission and infectivity. Taken together, these results could be used for the structure-based design of effective antiviral therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alamgir Khan
- H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Salman Ali Khan
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Komal Zia
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mezna Saleh Altowyan
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Assem Barakat
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Zaheer Ul-Haq
- H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.,Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
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Insights into the structure and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein double mutant L452R-E484Q. 3 Biotech 2022; 12:87. [PMID: 35265451 PMCID: PMC8893057 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-022-03151-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, located on the S1 subunit, plays a vital role in the virus binding and its entry into the host cell through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Therefore, understanding the dynamic effects of mutants on the SARS-CoV-2 RBD is essential for discovering drugs to inhibit the virus binding and disrupt its entry into the host cells. A recent study reported a double mutant of SARS-CoV-2, L452R-E484Q, located in the RBD region. Thus, this study employed various computational algorithms and methods to understand the structural impact of both individual variants L452R, E484Q, and the double mutant L452R-E484Q on the native RBD of spike glycoprotein. The effects of the mutations on native RBD structure were predicted by in silico algorithms, which predicted changes in the protein structure and function upon the mutations. Subsequently, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to understand the conformational stability and functional changes on the RBD upon the mutations. The comparative results of MD simulation parameters displayed that the double mutant induces significant conformational changes in the spike glycoprotein RBD, which may alter its biological functions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03151-0.
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Williams AH, Zhan CG. Generalized Methodology for the Quick Prediction of Variant SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Binding Affinities with Human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme II. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:2353-2360. [PMID: 35315274 PMCID: PMC8982491 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c10718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus continue to remain a threat 2 years from the beginning of the pandemic. As more variants arise, and the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant threatens to create another wave of infections, a method is needed to predict the binding affinity of the spike protein quickly and accurately with human angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2). We present an accurate and convenient energy minimization/molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area methodology previously used with engineered ACE2 therapeutics to predict the binding affinity of the Omicron variant. Without any additional data from the variants discovered after the publication of our first model, the methodology can accurately predict the binding of the spike/ACE2 variant complexes. From this methodology, we predicted that the Omicron variant spike has a Kd of ∼22.69 nM (which is very close to the experimental Kd of 20.63 nM published during the review process of the current report) and that spike protein of the new "Stealth" Omicron variant (BA.2) will display a Kd of ∼12.9 nM with the wild-type ACE2 protein. This methodology can be used with as-yet discovered variants, allowing for quick determinations regarding the variant's infectivity versus either the wild-type virus or its variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander H. Williams
- Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536
| | - Chang-Guo Zhan
- Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536
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Naresh GKRS, Guruprasad L. Mutations in the receptor-binding domain of human SARS CoV-2 spike protein increases its affinity to bind human ACE-2 receptor. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 41:2368-2381. [PMID: 35109768 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2032354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome virus-2 (SARS CoV-2) infection has resulted in the current global pandemic. The binding of SARS CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) to the human angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor causes the host infection. The spike protein has undergone several mutations with reference to the initial strain isolated during December 2019 from Wuhan, China. A number of these mutant strains have been reported as variants of concern and as variants being monitored. Some of these mutants are known to be responsible for increased transmissibility of the virus. The reason for the increased transmissibility caused by the point mutations can be understood by studying the structural implications and inter-molecular interactions in the binding of viral spike protein RBD and human ACE-2. Here, we use the crystal structure of the RBD in complex with ACE-2 available in the public domain and analyse the 250 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of wild-type and mutants; K417N, K417T, N440K, N501Y, L452R, T478K, E484K and S494P. The ionic, hydrophobic and hydrogen bond interactions, amino acid residue flexibility, binding energies and structural variations are characterized. The MD simulations provide clues to the molecular mechanisms of ACE-2 receptor binding in wild-type and mutant complexes. The mutant spike proteins RBD were associated with greater binding affinity with ACE-2 receptor. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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