NMR characterization and ligand binding site of the stem loop 2 motif (s2m) from the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2

The stem loop 2 motif (s2m) in SARS-CoV-2 (SCoV-2) is located in the 3'-UTR. Although s2m has been reported to display characteristics of a mobile genomic element that might lead to an evolutionary advantage, its function has remained unknown. The secondary structure of the original SCoV-2 RNA sequence (Wuhan-Hu-1) was determined by NMR in late 2020, delineating the base pairing pattern and revealing substantial differences in secondary structure compared to SARS-CoV-1 (SCoV-1). The existence of a single G29742-A29756 mismatch in the upper stem of s2m leads to its destabilization and impedes a complete NMR analysis. With Delta, a variant of concern has evolved with one mutation compared to the original sequence that replaces G29742 by U29742. We show here that this mutation results in a more defined structure at ambient temperature accompanied by a rise in melting temperature. Consequently, we were able to identify over 90 % of the relevant NMR resonances using a combination of selective RNA labeling and filtered 2D NOESY as well as 4D NMR experiments. We present a comprehensive NMR analysis of the secondary structure, (sub-) nanosecond dynamics and ribose conformation of s2m Delta based on heteronuclear 13C NOE and T1 measurements and ribose carbon chemical shift-derived canonical coordinates. We further show that the G29742U mutation in Delta has no influence on the druggability of s2m compared to the Wuhan-Hu-1 sequence. With the assignment at hand, we identify the flexible regions of s2m as primary site for small molecule binding.

Comprehensive Fragment Screening of the SARS‐CoV‐2 Proteome Explores Novel Chemical Space for Drug Development

SARS‐CoV‐2 (SCoV2) and its variants of concern pose serious challenges to the public health. The variants increased challenges to vaccines, thus necessitating for development of new intervention strategies including anti‐virals. Within the international Covid19‐NMR consortium, we have identified binders targeting the RNA genome of SCoV2. We established protocols for the production and NMR characterization of more than 80% of all SCoV2 proteins. Here, we performed an NMR screening using a fragment library for binding to 25 SCoV2 proteins and identified hits also against previously unexplored SCoV2 proteins. Computational mapping was used to predict binding sites and identify functional moieties (chemotypes) of the ligands occupying these pockets. Striking consensus was observed between NMR‐detected binding sites of the main protease and the computational procedure. Our investigation provides novel structural and chemical space for structure‐based drug design against the SCoV2 proteome.

Exploring the Druggability of Conserved RNA Regulatory Elements in the SARS-CoV-2 Genome

SARS-CoV-2 contains a positive single-stranded RNA genome of approximately 30 000 nucleotides. Within this genome, 15 RNA elements were identified as conserved between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. By nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we previously determined that these elements fold independently, in line with data from in vivo and ex-vivo structural probing experiments. These elements contain non-base-paired regions that potentially harbor ligand-binding pockets. Here, we performed an NMR-based screening of a poised fragment library of 768 compounds for binding to these RNAs, employing three different 1 H-based 1D NMR binding assays. The screening identified common as well as RNA-element specific hits. The results allow selection of the most promising of the 15 RNA elements as putative drug targets. Based on the identified hits, we derive key functional units and groups in ligands for effective targeting of the RNA of SARS-CoV-2.

NMR structure of the Vibrio vulnificus ribosomal protein S1 domains D3 and D4 provides insights into molecular recognition of single-stranded RNAs

The ribosomal S1 protein (rS1) is indispensable for translation initiation in Gram-negative bacteria. rS1 is a multidomain protein that acts as an RNA chaperone and ensures that mRNAs can bind the ribosome in a single-stranded conformation, which could be related to fast recognition. Although many ribosome structures were solved in recent years, a high-resolution structure of a two-domain mRNA-binding competent rS1 construct is not yet available. Here, we present the NMR solution structure of the minimal mRNA-binding fragment of Vibrio Vulnificus rS1 containing the domains D3 and D4. Both domains are homologues and adapt an oligonucleotide-binding fold (OB fold) motif. NMR titration experiments reveal that recognition of miscellaneous mRNAs occurs via a continuous interaction surface to one side of these structurally linked domains. Using a novel paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) approach and exploring different spin-labeling positions within RNA, we were able to track the location and determine the orientation of the RNA in the rS1-D34 bound form. Our investigations show that paramagnetically labeled RNAs, spiked into unmodified RNA, can be used as a molecular ruler to provide structural information on protein-RNA complexes. The dynamic interaction occurs on a defined binding groove spanning both domains with identical β2-β3-β5 interfaces. Evidently, the 3'-ends of the cis-acting RNAs are positioned in the direction of the N-terminus of the rS1 protein, thus towards the 30S binding site and adopt a conformation required for translation initiation.

Large-Scale Recombinant Production of the SARS-CoV-2 Proteome for High-Throughput and Structural Biology Applications

The highly infectious disease COVID-19 caused by the Betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 poses a severe threat to humanity and demands the redirection of scientific efforts and criteria to organized research projects. The international COVID19-NMR consortium seeks to provide such new approaches by gathering scientific expertise worldwide. In particular, making available viral proteins and RNAs will pave the way to understanding the SARS-CoV-2 molecular components in detail. The research in COVID19-NMR and the resources provided through the consortium are fully disclosed to accelerate access and exploitation. NMR investigations of the viral molecular components are designated to provide the essential basis for further work, including macromolecular interaction studies and high-throughput drug screening. Here, we present the extensive catalog of a holistic SARS-CoV-2 protein preparation approach based on the consortium's collective efforts. We provide protocols for the large-scale production of more than 80% of all SARS-CoV-2 proteins or essential parts of them. Several of the proteins were produced in more than one laboratory, demonstrating the high interoperability between NMR groups worldwide. For the majority of proteins, we can produce isotope-labeled samples of HSQC-grade. Together with several NMR chemical shift assignments made publicly available on covid19-nmr.com, we here provide highly valuable resources for the production of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in isotope-labeled form.

Site-specific dynamic nuclear polarization in a Gd(III)-labeled protein

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) of a biomolecule tagged with a polarizing agent has the potential to not only increase NMR sensitivity but also to provide specificity towards the tagging site. Although the general concept has been often discussed, the observation of true site-specific DNP and its dependence on the electron-nuclear distance has been elusive. Here, we demonstrate site-specific DNP in a uniformly isotope-labeled ubiquitin. By recombinant expression of three different ubiquitin point mutants (F4C, A28C, and G75C) post-translationally modified with a Gd3+-chelator tag, localized metal-ion DNP of 13C and 15N is investigated. Effects counteracting the site-specificity of DNP such as nuclear spin-lattice relaxation and proton-driven spin diffusion have been attenuated by perdeuteration of the protein. Particularly for 15N, large DNP enhancement factors on the order of 100 and above as well as localized effects within side-chain resonances differently distributed over the protein are observed. By analyzing the experimental DNP built-up dynamics combined with structural modeling of Gd3+-tags in ubiquitin supported by paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) in solution, we provide, for the first time, quantitative information on the distance dependence of the initial DNP transfer. We show that the direct 15N DNP transfer rate indeed linearly depends on the square of the hyperfine interaction between the electron and the nucleus following Fermi's golden rule, however, below a certain distance cutoff paramagnetic signal bleaching may dramatically skew the correlation.

NMR Spectroscopy of Large Functional RNAs: From Sample Preparation to Low-Gamma Detection

NMR spectroscopy is a potent method for the structural and biophysical characterization of RNAs. The application of NMR spectroscopy is restricted in RNA size and most often requires isotope-labeled or even selectively labeled RNAs. Additionally, new NMR pulse sequences, such as the heteronuclear-detected NMR experiments, are introduced. We herein provide detailed protocols for the preparation of isotope-labeled RNA for NMR spectroscopy via in vitro transcription. This protocol covers all steps, from the preparation of DNA template to the transcription of milligram RNA quantities. Moreover, we present a protocol for a chemo-enzymatic approach to introduce a single modified nucleotide at any position of any RNA. Regarding NMR methodology, we share protocols for the implementation of a suite of heteronuclear-detected NMR experiments including ¹³ C-detected experiments for ribose assignment and amino groups, the CN-spin filter heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) for imino groups and the ¹⁵ N-detected band-selective excitation short transient transverse-relaxation-optimized spectroscopy (BEST-TROSY) experiment. © 2020 The Authors. Basic Protocol 1: Preparation of isotope-labeled RNA samples with in vitro transcription using T7 RNAP, DEAE chromatography, and RP-HPLC purification Alternate Protocol 1: Purification of isotope-labeled RNA from in vitro transcription with preparative PAGE Alternate Protocol 2: Purification of isotope-labeled RNA samples from in vitro transcription via centrifugal concentration Support Protocol 1: Preparation of DNA template from plasmid Support Protocol 2: Preparation of PCR DNA as template Support Protocol 3: Preparation of T7 RNA Polymerase (T7 RNAP) Support Protocol 4: Preparation of yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase (YIPP) Basic Protocol 2: Preparation of site-specific labeled RNAs using a chemo-enzymatic synthesis Support Protocol 5: Synthesis of modified nucleoside 3',5'-bisphosphates Support Protocol 6: Preparation of T4 RNA Ligase 2 Support Protocol 7: Setup of NMR spectrometer for heteronuclear-detected NMR experiments Support Protocol 8: IPAP and DIPAP for homonuclear decoupling Basic Protocol 3: ¹³ C-detected 3D (H)CC-TOCSY, (H)CPC, and (H)CPC-CCH-TOCSY experiments for ribose assignment Basic Protocol 4: ¹³ C-detected 2D CN-spin filter HSQC experiment Basic Protocol 5: ¹³ C-detected C(N)H-HDQC experiment for the detection of amino groups Support Protocol 9: ¹³ C-detected CN-HSQC experiment for amino groups Basic Protocol 6: ¹³ C-detected "amino"-NOESY experiment Basic Protocol 7: ¹⁵ N-detected BEST-TROSY experiment.