The C-terminal portion of the nucleocapsid protein demonstrates SARS-CoV antigenicity

In order to develop clinical diagnostic tools for rapid detection of SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus) and to identify candidate proteins for vaccine development, the C-terminal portion of the nucleocapsid (NC) gene was amplified using RT-PCR from the SARS-CoV genome, cloned into a yeast expression vector (pEGH), and expressed as a glutathione S-transferase (GST) and Hisx6 double-tagged fusion protein under the control of an inducible promoter. Western analysis on the purified protein confirmed the expression and purification of the NC fusion proteins from yeast. To determine its antigenicity, the fusion protein was challenged with serum samples from SARS patients and normal controls. The NC fusion protein demonstrated high antigenicity with high specificity, and therefore, it should have great potential in designing clinical diagnostic tools and provide useful information for vaccine development.     

The epitope study on the SARS-CoV nucleocapsid protein

The nucleocapsid protein (N protein) has been found to be an antigenic protein in a number of coronaviruses. Whether the N protein in severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is antigenic remains to be elucidated. Using Western blot and Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), the recombinant N proteins and the synthesized peptides derived from the N protein were screened in sera from SARS patients. All patient sera in this study displayed strong positive immunoreactivities against the recombinant N proteins, whereas normal sera gave negative immunoresponses to these proteins, indicating that the N protein of SARS-CoV is an antigenic protein. Furthermore, the epitope sites in the N protein were determined by competition experiments, in which the recombinant proteins or the synthesized peptides competed against the SARS-CoV proteins to bind to the antibodies raised in SARS sera. One epitope site located at the C-terminus was confirmed as the most antigenic region in this prot     

A strategy for searching antigenic regions in the SARS-CoV spike protein

In the face of the worldwide threat of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) to human life, some of the most urgent challenges are to develop fast and accurate analytical methods for early diagnosis of this disease as well as to create a safe anti-viral vaccine for prevention. To these ends, we investigated the antigenicity of the spike protein (S protein), a major structural protein in the SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Based upon the theoretical analysis for hydrophobicity of the S protein, 18 peptides were synthesized. Using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA),these peptides were screened in the sera from SARS patients. According to these results, two fragments of the S gene were amplified by PCR and cloned into pET-32a. Both S fragments were expressed in the BL-21 strain and further purified with an affinity chromatography. These recombinant S fragments were confirmed to have positive cross-reactions with SARS sera, either by Western blot or by ELISA. Our results demonstrated that the potenti     

The M protein of SARS-CoV: basic structural and immunological properties

We studied structural and immunological properties of the SARS-CoV M (membrane) protein, based on comparative analyses of sequence features, phylogenetic investigation, and experimental results. The M protein is predicted to contain a triple-spanning transmembrane (TM) region, a single N-glycosylation site near its N-terminus that is in the exterior of the virion, and a long C-terminal region in the interior. The M protein harbors a higher substitution rate (0.6% correlated to its size) among viral open reading frames (ORFs) from published data. The four substitutions detected in the M protein, which cause non-synonymous changes, can be classified into three types. One of them results in changes of pI (isoelectric point) and charge, affecting antigenicity. The second changes hydrophobicity of the TM region, and the third one relates to hydrophilicity of the interior structure. Phylogenetic tree building based on the variations of the M protein appears to support the non-human origin of SARS-CoV. To inve     

SARS病毒S蛋白三维结构预测

蛋白质结构类型识别方法可以在没有序列同源性的蛋白质之间检测有没有结构相似性。利用蛋白质结构类型识别方法预测了SARS病毒S蛋白N端区域的结构。模建的SARS病毒S蛋白N端区域是一个全折叠的结构。     

NMR assignment of the nonstructural protein nsp3(1066–1181) from SARS-CoV

Sequence-specific NMR assignments of the globular core comprising the residues 1066–1181 within the non-structural protein nsp3e from the SARS coronavirus have been obtained using triple-resonance NMR experiments with the uniformly [¹³C, ¹⁵N]-labeled protein. The backbone and side chain assignments are nearly complete, providing the basis for the ongoing NMR structure determination. A preliminary identification of regular secondary structures has been derived from the ¹³C chemical shifts.     

Expression, purification and sublocalization of SARS-CoV nucleocapsid protein in insect cells

The causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a previously unidentified coronavirus, SARS-CoV. The nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV is a major viral protein recognized by acute and early convalescent sera from SARS patients. To facilitate the studies on the function and structure of the N protein, this report describe the expression and purification of recombinant SARS-CoV N protein using the baculovirus     

The E protein is a multifunctional membrane protein of SARS-CoV

The E (envelope) protein is the smallest structural protein in all coronaviruses and is the only viral structural protein in which no variation has been detected. We conducted genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of SARS-CoV. Based on genome sequencing, we predicted the E protein is a transmembrane (TM) protein characterized by a TM region with strong hydrophobicity and α-helix conformation. We identified a segment (NH2-_L-Cys-A-Y-Cys-Cys-N_-COOH) in the carboxyl-terminal region of the E protein that appears to form three disulfide bonds with another segment of corresponding cysteines in the carboxyl-terminus of the S (spike) protein. These bonds point to a possible structural association between the E and S proteins. Our phylogenetic analyses of the E protein sequences in all published coronaviruses place SARS-CoV in an independent group in Coronaviridae and suggest a non-human animal origin.     

SARS冠状病毒核壳蛋白对蛋白翻译的影响

目的:研究SARS冠状病毒核壳蛋白(N蛋白)对蛋白翻译的影响。方法:构建N蛋白表达载体FLAG-pcDNA3-N,分别与FLAG-pcDNA3和表达荧光素酶的质粒共转染293T人胚肾细胞,通过检测荧光素酶的活性来判断N蛋白对细胞内蛋白翻译的影响;在体外翻译体系中检测N蛋白对体外翻译的影响。结果:构建了载体FLAG-pcDNA3-N,在293T人胚肾细胞内表达后,荧光素酶活性被抑制;在体外翻译体系中加入N蛋白,体外翻译被抑制。结论:SARS冠状病毒N蛋白抑制蛋白翻译。     

针对SARS冠状病毒S蛋白的RNAi设计

为研究SARS冠状病毒的RNA干涉,以S蛋白为目标选取16个RNA干涉的靶序列,并设计用于体内转录形成以U6为启动子的siRNA发夹结构的DNA,拟将设计的DNA瞬时转染靶细胞,用定量RT-PCR法确定目标RNA被干涉的程度,用Western blot在蛋白质水平上进行监测。针对SARS冠状病毒的RNAi设计为进一步研究奠定了理论基础,其工作的开展将在RNAi治疗、SARS冠状病毒基因功能研究、新药开发等方面发挥重要作用。     

SARS冠状病毒的刺突蛋白

严重急性呼吸系统综合征(severe acute respiratory syndrome,SARS)是由严重急性呼吸系统综合征冠状病毒(SARS corona-vims,SARS-CoV)引起的呼吸系统疾病。SARS-CoV的刺突蛋白(spike protein)具有S1和S2两个独特的功能结构域,研究发现两者都是进行疫苗和抗体研究的理想和有效的靶点。对非典疫苗的研究生产非常有价值,对预防和治疗SARS也有重大意义。     

The functional motif of SARS-CoV S protein involved in the interaction with ACE2

SARS-CoV is a newly discovery pathogen causing severe acute respiratory problems. It has been established that the S protein in this pathogen plays an important rule in the adsorption and penetration of SARS-CoV into the host cell by interaction with the ACE2 receptor. To determinant which functional motif of the S protein was involved in the interaction with ACE2, seven truncated S proteins deleted from the N or C terminal were obtained by an E.coli expression system and purified by column chromatography to homogeneity. Each truncated S protein was fixed on to the well of an ELISA plate and an interaction was initiated with the ACE2 protein. The adsorption were quantified by ELISA, and the results indicated that amino acids from 388 to 496 of the S protein was responsible for the interaction with the ACE2 receptor, and the interaction could be completely disrupted by an antibody specific to these amino acids. Deletions adjacent to this domain did not appear to have a significant impact on the interaction with ACE2, suggesting that the S protein of SARS-CoV could be developed as a vaccine to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV.     

SARS冠状病毒病毒样颗粒疫苗的研究进展

2003年严重急性呼吸综合征(SARS)大流行之后,研究人员为防控SARS冠状病毒(SARS-CoV)的传播研制了多种不同形式的候选疫苗,大多是利用SARS-CoV表面的一种或多种结构蛋白制备的。SARS-CoV病毒样颗粒是具有较好的应用前景的一种候选疫苗,现将其制备方法及免疫原性做简要综述。     

SARS-CoV S蛋白基因的克隆及其与VSV-G融合表达载体的构建

为了解重症急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒(SARS—CoV)表面S蛋白的受体结合功能域及其在宿主细胞上的作用受体,应用PCR技术从SARS—CoV cDNA中克隆到S蛋白的全长基因,并构建了S蛋白与疱疹性口腔炎病毒胞膜蛋白(VSV—G)融合表达载体pVSV—G‘-SG,进而为制备含有SARS—CoVS蛋白膜外区的逆转录病毒假毒粒奠定了实验基础。     

Correlation between dissociation and catalysis of SARS-CoV main protease

The dimeric interface of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus main protease is a potential target for the anti-SARS drug development. We have generated C-terminal truncated mutants by serial truncations. The quaternary structure of the enzyme was analyzed using both sedimentation velocity and sedimentation equilibrium analytical ultracentrifugation. Global analysis of the combined results showed that truncation of C-terminus from 306 to 300 had no appreciable effect on the quaternary structure, and the enzyme remained catalytically active. However, further deletion of Gln-299 or Arg-298 drastically decreased the enzyme activity to 1-2% of wild type (WT), and the major form was a monomeric one. Detailed analysis of the point mutants of these two amino acid residues and their nearby hydrogen bond partner Ser-123 and Ser-139 revealed a strong correlation between the enzyme activity loss and dimer dissociation.     

The SARS-CoV S glycoprotein: expression and functional characterization

We have cloned, expressed, and characterized the full-length and various soluble fragments of the SARS-CoV (Tor2 isolate) S glycoprotein. Cells expressing S fused with receptor-expressing cells at neutral pH suggesting that the recombinant glycoprotein is functional, its membrane fusogenic activity does not require other viral proteins, and that low pH is not required for triggering membrane fusion; fusion was not observed at low receptor concentrations. S and its soluble ectodomain, S(e), were not cleaved to any significant degree. They ran at about 180-200kDa in SDS gels suggesting post-translational modifications as predicted by previous computer analysis and observed for other coronaviruses. Fragments containing the N-terminal amino acid residues 17-537 and 272-537 but not 17-276 bound specifically to Vero E6 cells and purified soluble receptor, ACE2, recently identified by M. Farzan and co-workers [Nature 426 (2003) 450-454]. Together with data for inhibition of binding by antibodies developed against peptides from S, these findings suggest that the receptor-binding domain is located between amino acid residues 303 and 537. These results also confirm that ACE2 is a functional receptor for the SARS virus and may help in the elucidation of the mechanisms of SARS-CoV entry and in the development of vaccine immunogens and entry inhibitors.     

SARS病毒S蛋白片段的克隆表达和纯化

以大肠杆菌表达载体pET22b为载体,直接表达SARS病毒S蛋白425-569及894-1033等2片段。表达所获得的包涵体形式蛋白经尿素溶解后分别经过2次离子交换层析,获得初步纯化。在酸性和低尿素浓度环境中,2种S蛋白片段极易沉淀。Western印迹鉴定显示其与抗SARS病毒血清呈阳性反应。获得的纯化蛋白可用于检验受体结合能力等研究。     

SARS-CoV的分子生物学研究

SARS-CoV是引起严重急性呼吸道综合症(SARS)的病原体．更多地了解SARS-CoV的基因组、蛋白结构以及它与其它冠状病毒的关系,将有助于SARS疾病的防治．     

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 3a is a novel structural protein

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) 3a protein is one of the opening reading frames in the viral genome with no homologue in other known coronaviruses. Expression of the 3a protein has been demonstrated during both in vitro and in vivo infection. Here we present biochemical data to show that 3a is a novel coronavirus structural protein. 3a was detected in virions purified from SARS-CoV infected Vero E6 cells although two truncated products were present predominantly instead of the full-length protein. In Vero E6 cells transiently transfected with a cDNA construct for expressing 3a, a similar cleavage was observed. Furthermore, co-expression of 3a, membrane and envelope proteins using the baculovirus system showed that both full-length and truncated 3a can be assembled into virus-like particles. This is the first report that demonstrated the incorporation of 3a into virion and showed that the SARS-CoV encodes a novel coronavirus structural protein.     

SARS-Cov及其他冠状病毒基因组比较分析

摘要：对病毒种内和种间基因组的比较分析能获得很多关于病毒起源与演化的信息。对17株SARS-CoV的种内基因组变异分析发现共有137个变异位点,估算出SARS-CoV的突变率为8.04×10-3核苷酸替换/位点/年。变异位点在基因组上的分布不均匀,变异位点最多的是基因组中编码S1蛋白的区域,而在编码依赖于RNA的RNA聚合酶区域中几乎没有变异位点。核苷酸和氨基酸替换的偏性预示变异可能不仅仅是由随机漂变产生。对冠状病毒种间基因组结构比较分析发现,SARS-CoV的基因组结构与IBV很相似;而保守基因系统发育分析表明,SARS-CoV属于冠状病毒的一个新分支,并且与血清型第二组冠状病毒进化关系较近。对其他某些分子特征的分析发现,在不同的方面SARS-CoV和不同组冠状病毒有不同的相似点。进一步对基因组非保守开放阅读框(ORF)的基序(motif)和跨膜区分析发现,各组冠状病毒基因组中位于基因S-E间的非保守ORF可能是同源的,但不是绝对必要的;而IBV和SARS-CoV的基因组中位于基因M-N间ORF可能不是同源的。综合分析SARS-CoV与3组血清型冠状病毒进化关系、宿主分布,以及SARS-CoV和IBV的s2m的进化关系,可以推测SARS-CoV有可能来自禽类。 Abstract:The genome comparison of inter-species and intra-species can give us much information about the origin and evolution of viruses.There are 137 mutation sites in the 17 genomes of SARS-CoV,and the mutation rate is about 8.04×10-3 substitution/site/year.The distribution of the segregating sites is not steady,the most variable region appears in S1 protein,and the nucleotide sequence of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase has very few mutation sites.The substitution bias of nucleotide acids and amino acids indicates the non-random drift products.The comparison of genome structures of SARS-CoV and other coronaviruses shows that SARS-CoV and IBV share the same genome structure.Phylogenetic analyses of conserved genes of coronaviruses indicate that SARS-CoV is a new branch of coronaviruses and appears more close to the group II coronaviruses.Interestingly,SARS-CoV shares some different features with different groups of coronaviruses.Additional analyses show that the first ORFs between S and E genes of some coronaviruses are transmembrane proteins and share the common motif,indicating the possible common ancestor.From the host distribution of different groups of coronaviruses and the phylogeny of s2m,we can deduce that avian is the probable natural host of SARS-CoV.