人冠状病毒NL63受体结合区蛋白的原核表达纯化与鉴定

人冠状病毒NL63受体结合区蛋白是其免疫学诊断和疫苗研究的主要靶点,在受体吸附、病毒进入细胞及膜融合中起关键作用。本研究在E.coli系统中进行人冠状病毒NL63受体结合区(RBD)大、小蛋白的表达纯化,并对其进行免疫学鉴定。首先密码子优化设计合成了HCoV-NL63的RBD大片段(RL:232-684aa)与小片段(RS:476-616aa)的编码基因,并将其克隆进硫氧还蛋白表达载体pM48,构建了人冠状病毒NL63的受体结合区蛋白(RBD)大(RL)、小(RS)片段与硫氧还蛋白的融合表达质粒;转化E.coli BL21pLys S,利用IPTG进行诱导表达,用镍亲和层析对蛋白进行纯化,并以表达HCoV-NL63RL与RS蛋白的重组痘苗病毒免疫小鼠血清对重组蛋白进行免疫印迹鉴定。结果表明在37℃,0.8mM IPTG诱导4h时,蛋白表达量达到最高,融合蛋白主要以包涵体形式表达,纯化后纯度可达95%以上。Western blot显示,两个融合蛋白均与痘苗病毒(天坛株)表达的HCoV-NL63RL与RS蛋白免疫的小鼠血清发生特异性反应。本研究首次在国内用原核系统表达纯化并鉴定了人冠状病毒NL63受体结合区大小蛋白(RL和RS),为人冠状病毒NL63感染的免疫学检测与疫苗研究提供了基础。     

北京地区人冠状病毒NL63 N和E蛋白基因序列及生物信息学分析

为了解北京地区新近发现的新型冠状病毒-人冠状病毒NL63(Human coronavirus NL63,HCoV-NL63)的N和E蛋白编码基因的特征,从经RT-PCR检测阳性的临床标本中扩增得到的HCoV-NL63 N蛋白和E蛋白编码基因序列,分别克隆至pCF-T和pUCm-T载体中并进行测序,同时运用生物信息学的方法,对北京HCoV-NL63阳性标本BJ8081 N和E蛋白编码基因的核苷酸和氨基酸序列与HCoV-NL63原型株及其他几种冠状病毒的N和E蛋白编码基因的核苷酸和氨基酸序列进行比较分析和种系进化分析;用SOPMA方法对BJ8081 N和E蛋白的二级结构进行了预测分析,并对N和E蛋白的其他生物学特性进行了预测分析.经序列比对分析发现,BJ8081 N蛋白氨基酸序列在78～85肽段(FYYLGTGP)内与所比较的其他冠状病毒N蛋白相应位置的氨基酸序列完全相同,提示此区段可能为包括HCoV-NL63在内的所有冠状病毒N蛋白的保守区域.在BJ8081 N蛋白氨基酸序列的100～121肽段可能是和基因组RNA相结合的位置;在BJ8081 E蛋白的15～37位氨基酸可能是E蛋白的跨膜区域.研究对BJ8081 N蛋白和E蛋白的编码基因序列进行了测定和生物信息学分析,为今后对HCoV-NL63的进一步深入研究奠定了基础.     

表达人冠状病毒NL63棘突蛋白不同片段的重组痘苗病毒的制备与表达分析

HCoV-NL63是新近发现的人冠状病毒,对其外膜糖蛋白-棘突蛋白的表达及功能的研究仍有待深入。本研究利用天坛株痘苗病毒载体,克隆构建可表达HCoV-NL63棘突蛋白四个片段(N端棘突蛋白:S1;C端棘突蛋白:S2;受体结合区大片段:RL;受体结合区小片段:RS)的重组痘苗病毒(vJSC1175-S1;vJSC1175-S2;vJSC1175-RL;vJSC1175-RS),酶切测序证实表达载体构建正确,免疫荧光分析(IFA)各重组痘苗病毒中棘突蛋白不同片段的表达与定位,Western-Blot分析表明各种重组蛋白表达正确。分析结果显示:4种重组蛋白均能有效表达,S1、RL及RS蛋白的荧光主要分布在细胞膜上,而S2蛋白的荧光则主要分布于细胞浆,各个片段的分子量大小与文献报道相同,并可进行正确的翻译修饰(糖基化)。本研究首次采用痘苗病毒天坛株载体构建制备了表达HCoV-NL63棘突蛋白不同片段的重组痘苗病毒,为进一步分析人冠状病毒HCoV-NL63棘突蛋白的结构功能及探索其抗原性和免疫原性奠定了基础。     

五株人冠状病毒NL63的基因型鉴定及S1domain基因特征分析

为阐明我国部分地区人冠状病毒(Human coronavirus,HCoV)NL63基因特征,本研究对2013年陕西省、2018年河南省和湖南省送检的5株HCoV-NL63核酸检测阳性的呼吸道样本进行HCoV-NL63基因型别鉴定及S1 do-main基因特征分析。通过对HCoV-NL63棘突蛋白(Spike glycoprotein,S)基因的S1 domain区域进行基因扩增和序列测定,同时结合GenBank数据库下载的1983～2018年其他国家74条HCoV-NL63代表株序列和2007～2010年中国流行的12条HCoV-NL63代表株序列,构建基因亲缘性关系树,并对S蛋白的S1 domain区域进行核苷酸序列比对分析。结果提示全球HCoV-NL63流行株可划分为A和B两个基因型;A基因型可进一步划分为A0,A1,A2和A3四个基因亚型,其中本研究将GenBank中2008年中国流行的2株HCoV-NL63毒株划分为新基因亚型(A3);B基因型可进一步划分为B0,B1和B2三个基因亚型。A和B基因型的HCoV-NL63代表株序列在地域分布上无明显差异,但A基因型不同基因亚型的HCoV-NL63序列在年代分布上呈现出一定的时间进化趋势。在我国A和B基因型HCoV-NL63均已被检测到,但主要以A基因型流行为主,且主要集中在A1和A2基因亚型。不同基因型HCoV-NL63序列在S1 domain区域核苷酸和氨基酸序列上存在特征性差异。本研究通过对五株HCoV-NL63基因型鉴定及S1 domain基因特征分析,初步阐明了我国部分地区流行的HCoV-NL63基因型/基因亚型分布情况及基因特征,丰富了我国本土流行的HCoV-NL63基因数据库,为我国HCoV-NL63分子流行病学研究及分子检测和监测技术的改进和验证提供了基础基因数据。     

人冠状病毒NL63核壳蛋白和棘突蛋白的表达及其在血清学检测中的初步应用

目的:重组表达人冠状病毒NL63(HCoV-NL63)的核壳蛋白(N蛋白)及棘突蛋白(S蛋白),用于检测血清中的相应抗体。方法:用原核表达系统表达HCoV-NL63的N蛋白,建立检测N抗体的Werstern印迹法;用真核表达系统表达HCoV-NL63的S蛋白,建立检测S抗体的间接免疫荧光(IFA)法。结果:经Werstern印迹检测,重组S蛋白和N蛋白表达正确;初步建立了N蛋白纯化方法。利用建立的检测方法,检测了100份正常成人血清,总阳性率为81%。其中S抗体阳性率为66%,N抗体阳性率为38%,S抗体和N抗体均为阳性的占总数的22%,双抗体均为阴性的占总数的19%;S抗体的检出率明显高于N抗体。结论:重组HCoV-NL63N蛋白及S蛋白表达成功;S抗体和N抗体共同检测可获得较好的检测结果,减少漏检。     

HCoV-NL63N蛋白不同片段的表达纯化及血清学检测应用分析

将HCoV-NL63核衣壳蛋白N端(Np1~154aa)、C端(Cp141~306aa)基因片段克隆到原核表达载体pET30a(+)上进行原核表达,制备相应的纯化蛋白Np、Cp蛋白,利用Np、Cp蛋白建立基于Western-Blot条带印迹的HCoV-NL63抗体检测法,并与基于全长N蛋白(Nf)的HCoV-NL63抗体检测法相平行筛查了50份成年体检血清。结果显示:50份成年体检血清中,采用Nf、Np、Cp分别检出25、27、36份HCoV-NL63抗体阳性血清,检出率分别为50%、54%、72%。不同N蛋白与血清反应抗体阳性谱存在差异,其中Np与Nf检出一致率为64%,Cp与Nf检出一致率为54%,而Np与Cp检出一致率为54%。本研究表明人冠状病毒NL63在我国人群中感染常见,N蛋白C端(Cp)检出率比全长N(Nf)及N端(Np)要高,Nf、Np、Cp在抗体检测上存在不一致性。这为HCoV-NL63血清学试剂研发及免疫学研究提供了依据与实验基础。     

新型人冠状病毒HCoV—NL63和HCoV-HKU1的研究进展

多年来,人们公认的人冠状病毒包括HCoV-229E和HCoV-0C43等2株。但2002-2003年,由一种新型人冠状病毒SARS-CoV所引发的全球范围的严重急性呼吸综合征（SARS）的流行,使多国蒙受巨大损失,由此,冠状病毒又成为研究的焦点。随着分子生物学技术的发展,2004-2005年,又发现了2种新型人冠状病毒HCoV-NL63和HCoV-HKU1。在此,就这2种病毒的发现、流行情况,及其与疾病的相关性做一简要综述。     

基于毛细管电泳的快速检测七种人冠状病毒技术方法的建立

近来,一种新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV-2)引发的COVID-19突发疫情,给全球公众健康和社会经济构成严重威胁。SARS-CoV-2成为继人冠状病毒229E(Human coronavirus 229E,HCoV-229E)、人冠状病毒OC43(Human coronavirus OC43,HCoV-OC43)、严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒(Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus,SARS-CoV)、人冠状病毒NL63(Human coronavirus NL63,HCoV-NL63)、人冠状病毒HKU1(Human coronavirus HKU1,HCoV-HKU1)和中东呼吸综合征冠状病毒(Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus,MERS-CoV)后第七种感染人类的冠状病毒。本研究以高分辨毛细管电泳技术为基础,针对七种人冠状病毒基因保守区分别设计特异性引物对,经常规PCR扩增后,通过具备单碱基差异分辨率的毛细管电泳分析,实现快速检测七种人冠状病毒的目标。通过构建基于毛细管电泳的人冠状病毒分子靶标,实现同时快速精准鉴定七种人冠状病毒的目的。本研究建立的人冠状病毒毛细管电泳快速检测技术方法具有极高灵敏性和精确性,分辨率高而且特异性好,操作简便成本低廉,为人冠状病毒的临床诊断、口岸快速检测等提供了新的技术支持。     

人冠状病毒HCoV-NL63和HCoV-HKU1常规RT-PCR与实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法的建立及应用比较

分别设计HCoV-NL63和HCoV-HKU1特异的引物与荧光标记探针,并合成含靶基因的模板RNA,建立常规RT-PCR方法与实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法,对其灵敏性、特异性和可重复性以及用于临床样本的适用性等进行平行比较评价.结果表明:这两种方法皆可对HCoV-NL63或HCoV-HKU1进行特异性诊断,其中荧光定量RT-PCR方法检测灵敏度均可达10拷贝/25μL反应体积,不同批次重复检测结果间的变异系数均小于5%.上述方法应用于158份临床鼻咽拭子标本,其中荧光定量RT-PCR方法检出6份HCoV-NL63阳性标本,5份HCoV-HKU1阳性标本,而常规RT-PCR方法则分别检出HCoV-NL63阳性与HCoV-HKU1阳性各3份.对常规RT-PCR方法获得的阳性样品进行序列分析证实上述方法的可靠性.本实验成功建立了可用于临床标本检测的人冠状病毒HCoV-NL63和HCoV-HKU1常规RT-PCR方法与实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法,并初步证实荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法检出率明显高于常规RT-PCR方法,这为开展HCoV-NL63和HCoV-HKU1的流行监测及临床早期诊断提供了有效技术手段.     

Human coronavirus NL63, a new respiratory virus

From the mid-1960s onwards, it was believed that only two human coronavirus species infect humans: HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43. Then, in 2003, a novel member of the coronavirus family was introduced into the human population: SARS-CoV, causing an aggressive lung disease. Fortunately, this virus was soon expelled from the human population, but it quickly became clear that the human coronavirus group contains more members then previously assumed, with HCoV-NL63 identified in 2004. Despite its recent discovery, ample results from HCoV-NL63 research have been described. We present an overview of the publications on this novel coronavirus.     

Characterization and Complete Genome Sequence of Human Coronavirus NL63 Isolated in China

Human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) was first discovered in Amsterdam in 2004 and was identified as a new human respiratory coronavirus. We here report the first complete genome sequence of HCoV-NL63 strain CBJ 037 isolated in 2008 from a patient with bronchitis in Beijing, China.     

Identification of a new human coronavirus

Three human coronaviruses are known to exist: human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E), HCoV-OC43 and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Here we report the identification of a fourth human coronavirus, HCoV-NL63, using a new method of virus discovery. The virus was isolated from a 7-month-old child suffering from bronchiolitis and conjunctivitis. The complete genome sequence indicates that this virus is not a recombinant, but rather a new group 1 coronavirus. The in vitro host cell range of HCoV-NL63 is notable because it replicates on tertiary monkey kidney cells and the monkey kidney LLC-MK2 cell line. The viral genome contains distinctive features, including a unique N-terminal fragment within the spike protein. Screening of clinical specimens from individuals suffering from respiratory illness identified seven additional HCoV-NL63-infected individuals, indicating that the virus was widely spread within the human population.     

SARS coronavirus, but not human coronavirus NL63, utilizes cathepsin L to infect ACE2-expressing cells

Viruses require specific cellular receptors to infect their target cells. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a cellular receptor for two divergent coronaviruses, SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63). In addition to hostcell receptors, lysosomal cysteine proteases are required for productive infection by some viruses. Here we show that SARS-CoV, but not HCoV-NL63, utilizes the enzymatic activity of the cysteine protease cathepsin L to infect ACE2-expressing cells. Inhibitors of cathepsin L blocked infection by SARS-CoV and by a retrovirus pseudotyped with the SARS-CoV spike (S) protein but not infection by HCoV-NL63 or a retrovirus pseudotyped with the HCoV-NL63 S protein. Expression of exogenous cathepsin L substantially enhanced infection mediated by the SARS-CoV S protein and by filovirus GP proteins but not by the HCoV-NL63 S protein or the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein. Finally, an inhibitor of endosomal acidification had substantially less effect on infection mediated by the HCoV-NL63 S protein than on that mediated by the SARS-CoV S protein. Our data indicate that two coronaviruses that utilize a common receptor nonetheless enter cells through distinct mechanisms.     

Proteolytic processing and deubiquitinating activity of papain-like proteases of human coronavirus NL63

Human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63), a common human respiratory pathogen, is associated with both upper and lower respiratory tract disease in children and adults. Currently, no antiviral drugs are available to treat CoV infections; thus, potential drug targets need to be identified and characterized. Here, we identify HCoV-NL63 replicase gene products and characterize two viral papain-like proteases (PLPs), PLP1 and PLP2, which process the viral replicase polyprotein. We generated polyclonal antisera directed against two of the predicted replicase nonstructural proteins (nsp3 and nsp4) and detected replicase proteins from HCoV-NL63-infected LLC-MK2 cells by immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, and Western blot assays. We found that HCoV-NL63 replicase products can be detected at 24 h postinfection and that these proteins accumulate in perinuclear sites, consistent with membrane-associated replication complexes. To determine which viral proteases are responsible for processing these products, we generated constructs representing the amino-terminal end of the HCoV-NL63 replicase gene and established protease cis-cleavage assays. We found that PLP1 processes cleavage site 1 to release nsp1, whereas PLP2 is responsible for processing both cleavage sites 2 and 3 to release nsp2 and nsp3. We expressed and purified PLP2 and used a peptide-based assay to identify the cleavage sites recognized by this enzyme. Furthermore, by using K48-linked hexa-ubiquitin substrate and ubiquitin-vinylsulfone inhibitor specific for deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), we confirmed that, like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) CoV PLpro, HCoV-NL63 PLP2 has DUB activity. The identification of the replicase products and characterization of HCoV-NL63 PLP DUB activity will facilitate comparative studies of CoV proteases and aid in the development of novel antiviral reagents directed against human pathogens such as HCoV-NL63 and SARS-CoV.     

The Nucleocapsid Protein of Human Coronavirus NL63

Human coronavirus (HCoV) NL63 was first described in 2004 and is associated with respiratory tract disease of varying severity. At the genetic and structural level, HCoV-NL63 is similar to other members of the Coronavirinae subfamily, especially human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E). Detailed analysis, however, reveals several unique features of the pathogen. The coronaviral nucleocapsid protein is abundantly present in infected cells. It is a multi-domain, multi-functional protein important for viral replication and a number of cellular processes. The aim of the present study was to characterize the HCoV-NL63 nucleocapsid protein. Biochemical analyses revealed that the protein shares characteristics with homologous proteins encoded in other coronaviral genomes, with the N-terminal domain responsible for nucleic acid binding and the C-terminal domain involved in protein oligomerization. Surprisingly, analysis of the subcellular localization of the N protein of HCoV-NL63 revealed that, differently than homologous proteins from other coronaviral species except for SARS-CoV, it is not present in the nucleus of infected or transfected cells. Furthermore, no significant alteration in cell cycle progression in cells expressing the protein was observed. This is in stark contrast with results obtained for other coronaviruses, except for the SARS-CoV.     

Mosaic structure of human coronavirus NL63, one thousand years of evolution

Before the SARS outbreak only two human coronaviruses (HCoV) were known: HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-229E. With the discovery of SARS-CoV in 2003, a third family member was identified. Soon thereafter, we described the fourth human coronavirus (HCoV-NL63), a virus that has spread worldwide and is associated with croup in children. We report here the complete genome sequence of two HCoV-NL63 clinical isolates, designated Amsterdam 57 and Amsterdam 496. The genomes are 27,538 and 27,550 nucleotides long, respectively, and share the same genome organization. We identified two variable regions, one within the 1a and one within the S gene, whereas the 1b and N genes were most conserved. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that HCoV-NL63 genomes have a mosaic structure with multiple recombination sites. Additionally, employing three different algorithms, we assessed the evolutionary rate for the S gene of group Ib coronaviruses to be approximately 3 x 10(-4) substitutions per site per year. Using this evolutionary rate we determined that HCoV-NL63 diverged in the 11th century from its closest relative HCoV-229E.