Receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein efficiently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection and attachment to mouse lung

COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, poses a serious global threat. It was first reported in 2019 in China and has now dramatically spread across the world. It is crucial to develop therapeutics to mitigate severe disease and viral spread. The receptor-binding domains (RBDs) in the spike protein of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV have shown anti-viral activity in previous reports suggesting that this domain has high potential for development as therapeutics. To evaluate the potential antiviral activity of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBD proteins, we determined the RBD residues of SARS-CoV-2 using a homology search with RBD of SARS-CoV. For efficient expression and purification, the signal peptide of spike protein was identified and used to generate constructs expressing recombinant RBD proteins. Highly purified RBD protein fused with the Fc domain of human IgG showed potent anti-viral efficacy, which was better than that of a protein fused with a histidine tag. Intranasally pre-administrated RBD protein also inhibited the attachment of SARS-COV-2 to mouse lungs. These findings indicate that RBD protein could be used for the prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.     

Comprehensive mapping of mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain that affect recognition by polyclonal human plasma antibodies

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The Occluded Epitope Residing in Spike Receptor-Binding Motif Is Essential for Cross-Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant

Concerns over vaccine efficacy after the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant prompted revisiting the vaccine design concepts. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been developed to identify the neutralizing epitopes on spike protein. It has been confirmed that the key amino acid residues in epitopes that induce the formation of neutralizing antibodies do not have to be on the receptor-binding domain (RBD)- angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) contact surface, and may be conformationally hidden. In addition, this epitope is tolerant to amino acid mutations of the Delta variant. The antibody titers against RBD in health care workers in Thailand receiving two doses of CoronaVac, followed by a booster dose of BNT162b2, were significantly increased. The neutralizing antibodies against the Delta variant suggest that the overall neutralizing antibody level against the Wuhan strain, using the NeutraLISA, was consistent with the levels of anti-RBD antibodies. However, individuals with moderate anti-RBD antibody responses have different levels of a unique antibody population competing with a cross-neutralizing mAb clone, 40591-MM43, determined by in-house competitive ELISA. Since 40591-MM43 mAb indicates cross-neutralizing activity against the Delta variant, this evidence implies that the efficiency of the vaccination regimen should be improved to facilitate cross-protective antibodies against Delta variant infections. The RBD epitope recognized by 40591-MM43 mAb is hidden in the close state.     

Enhancement versus neutralization by SARS-CoV-2 antibodies from a convalescent donor associates with distinct epitopes on the RBD

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Structural basis of nanobodies neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 variants

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新冠病毒刺突糖蛋白结构与功能的生物信息学分析及原核表达

SARS-CoV-2是一种高致病性且传播迅速的病原体,通过刺突糖蛋白(Spike glycoprotein,S蛋白)识别宿主细胞表面的受体来实现入侵和感染。对S蛋白进行系统的生物信息学分析和原核表达,有助于深入理解S蛋白的功能和阐明该蛋白介导病毒感染的分子机制。本文采用Protparam、Pfam、TMHMM、ExPASy-ProtScale、PSORTⅡ、SignalP、UniProt、NetPhos 3.1、NetNGlyc 1.0、NetOGlyc 4.0和BLAST等生物信息学软件和数据库对S蛋白的理化性质、亚细胞定位、翻译后修饰及相互作用网络等生物学特性进行了系统分析。利用Clustal X2和MEGA7.0软件对该蛋白进行了基于氨基酸序列的同源性分析和系统进化分析。最后,通过分子克隆技术构建重组表达载体pET-22b-S并进行原核表达。结果显示,S蛋白由1273个氨基酸组成,分子量141.2 kD,等电点6.24,有两个卷曲螺旋结构,一个跨膜螺旋区,疏水性较强。S蛋白包含刺突受体结合结构域和S2糖蛋白结构域,主要分布于宿主细胞的内质网膜和细胞膜,含有136个潜在的磷酸化位点和20个可能的糖基化位点。与SARS-CoV-2 S蛋白序列一致性最高的是SARS冠状病毒、SARS冠状病毒WH20和蝙蝠冠状病毒HKU3,均为76%。SARS-CoV-2与SARS冠状病毒和蝙蝠冠状病毒聚为一大支,提示它们可能具有共同的祖先。S蛋白主要在细菌裂解液离心之后的沉淀中表达,这为后续的结构分析和疫苗研发奠定了基础。S蛋白在SARS冠状病毒和蝙蝠冠状病毒之间保守性较高,提示其在病毒入侵过程中具有重要功能。SARS-CoV-2与SARS冠状病毒和蝙蝠冠状病毒可能具有共同的祖先。本研究为SARS-CoV-2 S蛋白的表达纯化、结构与功能研究提供了重要的数据基础,有助于全面揭示S蛋白的生物学功能,同时为设计和筛选靶向S蛋白的新型抗病毒药物提供了科学依据。     

Structure and Function of N-Terminal Zinc Finger Domain of SARS-CoV-2 NSP2

Virologica Sinica - SARS-CoV-2 has become a global pandemic threatening human health and safety. It is urgent to find effective therapeutic agents and targets with the continuous emergence of novel...     

Protective prototype-Beta and Delta-Omicron chimeric RBD-dimer vaccines against SARS-CoV-2

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Infection- and vaccine-induced antibody binding and neutralization of the B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 variant

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Comparative analysis of antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in various populations

This paper aimed to analyze antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in various populations. Two hundred and six COVID-19 patients, 46 convalescent patients, and 270 healthy population were enrolled. Antibodies against nucleocapsid protein (N) and spike protein''s receptor-binding domain (RBD), and neutralizing antibody were detected. The results demonstrated both anti-N and anti-RBD antibodies could be detected in about 80% of COVID-19 patients and 90% of convalescent patients, while no antibodies could be detected in some convalescents and patients even after 14 days post-onset of symptoms. The level of anti-RBD antibody strongly correlated with the neutralizing activity of sera from these two cohorts. The titer of neutralizing antibody was lower in convalescents than that in active COVID-19 patients. In addition, the titer of neutralizing antibody was less than 1:80 in none of the severe COVID-19 patients, 18.8% in non-severe COVID-19 patients, and 32.6% in convalescents. The study suggests that the level of anti-RBD antibody is closely related to neutralization activity in COVID-19 patients and convalescents. Some SARS-CoV-2-infected cases trigger a weak antiviral immune response, and the level of neutralizing antibody may have a faster decay rate.     

Complete Mapping of Mutations to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Receptor-Binding Domain that Escape Antibody Recognition

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Receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 is a functional αv-integrin agonist

Among the novel mutations distinguishing SARS-CoV-2 from similar coronaviruses is a K403R substitution in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the viral spike (S) protein within its S1 region. This amino acid substitution occurs near the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2–binding interface and gives rise to a canonical RGD adhesion motif that is often found in native extracellular matrix proteins, including fibronectin. Here, the ability of recombinant S1-RBD to bind to cell surface integrins and trigger downstream signaling pathways was assessed and compared with RGD-containing, integrin-binding fragments of fibronectin. We determined that S1-RBD supported adhesion of fibronectin-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts as well as primary human small airway epithelial cells, while RBD-coated microparticles attached to epithelial monolayers in a cation-dependent manner. Cell adhesion to S1-RBD was RGD dependent and inhibited by blocking antibodies against α_v and β₃ but not α₅ or β₁ integrins. Similarly, we observed direct binding of S1-RBD to recombinant human α_vβ₃ and α_vβ₆ integrins, but not α₅β₁ integrins, using surface plasmon resonance. S1-RBD adhesion initiated cell spreading, focal adhesion formation, and actin stress fiber organization to a similar extent as fibronectin. Moreover, S1-RBD stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the adhesion mediators FAK, Src, and paxillin; triggered Akt activation; and supported cell proliferation. Thus, the RGD sequence of S1-RBD can function as an α_v-selective integrin agonist. This study provides evidence that cell surface α_v-containing integrins can respond functionally to spike protein and raises the possibility that S1-mediated dysregulation of extracellular matrix dynamics may contribute to the pathogenesis and/or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.     

Antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with COVID-19

This paper aimed to analyze antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in various populations. Two hundred and six COVID-19 patients, 46 convalescent patients, and 270 healthy population were enrolled. Antibodies against nucleocapsid protein (N) and spike protein's receptor-binding domain (RBD), and neutralizing antibody were detected. The results demonstrated both anti-N and anti-RBD antibodies could be detected in about 80% of COVID-19 patients and 90% of convalescent patients, while no antibodies could be detected in some convalescents and patients even after 14 days post-onset of symptoms. The level of anti-RBD antibody strongly correlated with the neutralizing activity of sera from these two cohorts. The titer of neutralizing antibody was lower in convalescents than that in active COVID-19 patients. In addition, the titer of neutralizing antibody was less than 1:80 in none of the severe COVID-19 patients, 18.8% in non-severe COVID-19 patients, and 32.6% in convalescents. The study suggests that the level of anti-RBD antibody is closely related to neutralization activity in COVID-19 patients and convalescents. Some SARS-CoV-2-infected cases trigger a weak antiviral immune response, and the level of neutralizing antibody may have a faster decay rate.     

Receptor binding and complex structures of human ACE2 to spike RBD from omicron and delta SARS-CoV-2

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Impact of temperature on the affinity of SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein for host ACE2

The seasonal nature of outbreaks of respiratory viral infections with increased transmission during low temperatures has been well established. Accordingly, temperature has been suggested to play a role on the viability and transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the Spike glycoprotein is known to bind to its host receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to initiate viral fusion. Using biochemical, biophysical, and functional assays to dissect the effect of temperature on the receptor–Spike interaction, we observed a significant and stepwise increase in RBD-ACE2 affinity at low temperatures, resulting in slower dissociation kinetics. This translated into enhanced interaction of the full Spike glycoprotein with the ACE2 receptor and higher viral attachment at low temperatures. Interestingly, the RBD N501Y mutation, present in emerging variants of concern (VOCs) that are fueling the pandemic worldwide (including the B.1.1.7 (α) lineage), bypassed this requirement. This data suggests that the acquisition of N501Y reflects an adaptation to warmer climates, a hypothesis that remains to be tested.     

Differential binding of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein variants to its cognate receptor hACE2 using molecular modeling based binding analysis

The current emergence of novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 and its ceaseless expansion worldwide has posed a global health emergency that has adversely affected the humans. With the entire world striving to understand the newly emerged virus, differences in morbidity and infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 have been observed across varied geographic areas, which have been ascribed to viral mutation and evolution over time. The homotrimeric Spike (S) glycoprotein on the viral envelope surface is responsible for binding, priming, and initiating infection in the host. Our phylogeny analysis of 1947 sequences of S proteins indicated there is a change in amino acid (aa) from aspartate (Group-A) to glycine (Group-B) at position 614, near the receptor- binding domain (RBD; aa positions 331-524). The two variants are reported to be in circulation, disproportionately across the world, with Group-A dominant in Asia and Group-B in North America. The trimeric, monomeric, and RBD of S protein of both the variant groups (A & B) were modeled using the Swiss-Model server and were docked with the human receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) employing the PatchDock server and visualized in PyMol. Group-A S protein''s RBD bound imperceptibly to the two binding clefts of the hACE2 protein, on the other hand, Group-B S protein''s RBD perfectly interacted inside the binding clefts of hACE2, with higher number of hydrogen and hydrophobic interactions. This implies that the S protein''s amino acid at position 614 near the core RBD influences its interaction with the cognate hACE2 receptor, which may induce its infectivity that should be explored further with molecular and biochemical studies.     

Intersubunit Disulfide Interactions Play a Critical Role in Maintaining the Thermostability of Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase from the Hyperthermophilic Bacterium Aquifex aeolicus

Proteins from thermophilic microorganisms are stabilized by various mechanisms to preserve their native folded states at higher temperatures. A thermostable glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (tG6PDH) from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus was expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli. The A. aeolicus G6PDH is a homodimer exhibiting remarkable thermostability (t_1/2=24 hr at 90°C). Based on homology modeling and upon comparison of its structure with human G6PDH, it was predicted that cysteine 184 of one subunit could form a disulfide bond with cysteine 352 of the other subunit resulting in reinforced intersubunit interactions that hold the dimer together. Site-directed mutagenesis was performed on tG6PDH to convert C184 and C352 to serines. The tG6PDH double mutant exhibited a dramatic decrease in the half-life from 24 hr to 3 hr at 90°C. The same decrease in half-life was also found when either C184 or C352 was mutated to serine. The result indicates that C184 and C352 may play a crucial role in strengthening the dimer interface through disulfide bond formation, thereby contributing to the thermal stability of the enzyme.     

功能性新型冠状病毒RBD结构域在毕赤酵母表面的展示*

目的:设计并构建新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV-2)受体结合结构域(receptor binding domain,RBD)在毕赤酵母表面的展示体系,并对表面展示的RBD进行功能性评价,从而为以RBD为靶点的高通量药物筛选平台奠定基础。方法:将四种锚定分子与新冠病毒RBD融合,电转化至毕赤酵母中;通过细胞免疫荧光分析,筛选能够成功展示RBD的锚定系统;进一步分析其与血管紧张素转化酶2(angiotensin-converting enzyme 2,ACE2)受体的亲和力,证明展示在细胞表面RBD分子的功能。结果:仅Sed1p锚定分子能够有效呈递RBD至毕赤酵母细胞表面,展示效率约为70%;亲和力分析结果表明,ACE2受体和表面展示RBD的亲和力(K_D = 30.42 nmol/L)与溶液中RBD的亲和力(K_D = 16.00 nmol/L)较为接近。结论:这一体系能够在毕赤酵母表面高效地展示具有生物学功能的RBD,可用于抗新冠病毒RBD药物的高通量筛选和评价。     

新型冠状病毒RBD蛋白原核表达及多克隆抗体的制备

为原核表达严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2（简称新型冠状病毒,severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2,SARS-CoV-2）S蛋白受体结合域（receptor binding domain, RBD）并制备多克隆抗体,利用基因克隆技术将RBD基因连接到原核表达载体pGEX-6p-1和pET-32a(+)上,电转化至大肠杆菌XL1-Blue感受态细胞,利用优化后的表达条件大量表达重组蛋白,经亲和层析纯化后通过SDS-PAGE检测蛋白的表达情况。利用GST-RBD融合蛋白作为免疫抗原免疫小鼠制备多克隆抗体,ELISA和Western blot分析抗血清的效价和特异性。PCR鉴定和序列测定结果显示,成功构建了重组载体pGEX-RBD和pET-RBD,在大肠杆菌中实现了GST-RBD和RBD-His融合蛋白的可溶性高效表达。研究获得的多克隆抗体的滴度达到约1∶3 000,并具有良好的结合特异性。原核表达的可溶性新型冠状病毒RBD重组蛋白具有良好的免疫原性,为后续制备基因工程抗体奠定了实验基础。     

蛋白质二硫键异构酶家族的结构与功能

蛋白质二硫键异构酶（protein disulfide isomerase,PDI）家族是一类在内质网中起作用的巯基-二硫键氧化还原酶.它们通常含有CXXC（Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Cys,CXXC）活性位点,活性位点的两个半胱氨酸残基可催化底物二硫键的形成、异构及还原.所有PDI家族成员包含至少一个约100个氨基酸残基的硫氧还蛋白同源结构域.PDI家族的主要职能是催化内质网中新生肽链的氧化折叠,另外在内质网相关的蛋白质降解途径（ERAD）、蛋白质转运、钙稳态、抗原提呈及病毒入侵等方面也起重要作用.