Attenuation of SARS‐CoV‐2 replication and associated inflammation by concomitant targeting of viral and host cap 2'‐O‐ribose methyltransferases

The SARS‐CoV‐2 infection cycle is a multistage process that relies on functional interactions between the host and the pathogen. Here, we repurposed antiviral drugs against both viral and host enzymes to pharmaceutically block methylation of the viral RNA 2''‐O‐ribose cap needed for viral immune escape. We find that the host cap 2''‐O‐ribose methyltransferase MTr1 can compensate for loss of viral NSP16 methyltransferase in facilitating virus replication. Concomitant inhibition of MTr1 and NSP16 efficiently suppresses SARS‐CoV‐2 replication. Using in silico target‐based drug screening, we identify a bispecific MTr1/NSP16 inhibitor with anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 activity in vitro and in vivo but with unfavorable side effects. We further show antiviral activity of inhibitors that target independent stages of the host SAM cycle providing the methyltransferase co‐substrate. In particular, the adenosylhomocysteinase (AHCY) inhibitor DZNep is antiviral in in vitro, in ex vivo, and in a mouse infection model and synergizes with existing COVID‐19 treatments. Moreover, DZNep exhibits a strong immunomodulatory effect curbing infection‐induced hyperinflammation and reduces lung fibrosis markers ex vivo. Thus, multispecific and metabolic MTase inhibitors constitute yet unexplored treatment options against COVID‐19.     

Surfactant protein D increases phagocytosis and aggregation of pollen-allergen starch granules

Recent studies have shown that surfactant components, in particular the collectins surfactant protein (SP)-A and -D, modulate the phagocytosis of various pathogens by alveolar macrophages. This interaction might be important not only for the elimination of pathogens but also for the elimination of inhaled allergens and might explain anti-inflammatory effects of SP-A and SP-D in allergic airway inflammation. We investigated the effect of surfactant components on the phagocytosis of allergen-containing pollen starch granules (PSG) by alveolar macrophages. PSG were isolated from Dactylis glomerata or Phleum pratense, two common grass pollen allergens, and incubated with either rat or human alveolar macrophages in the presence of recombinant human SP-A, SP-A purified from patients suffering from alveolar proteinosis, a recombinant fragment of human SP-D, dodecameric recombinant rat SP-D, or the commercially available surfactant preparations Curosurf and Alveofact. Dodecameric rat recombinant SP-D enhanced binding and phagocytosis of the PSG by alveolar macrophages, whereas the recombinant fragment of human SP-D, SP-A, or the surfactant lipid preparations had no effect. In addition, recombinant rat SP-D bound to the surface of the PSG and induced aggregation. Binding, aggregation, and enhancement of phagocytosis by recombinant rat SP-D was completely blocked by EDTA and inhibited by d-maltose and to a lesser extent by d-galactose, indicating the involvement of the carbohydrate recognition domain of SP-D in these functions. The modulation of allergen phagocytosis by SP-D might play an important role in allergen clearance from the lung and thereby modulate the allergic inflammation of asthma.     

Primary structure of apolipophorin-III from the greater wax moth,Galleria mellonella

The complete amino acid sequence of apolipophorin-III (apoLp-III), a lipid-binding hemolymph protein from the greater wax moth,Galleria mellonella, was determined by protein sequencing. The mature protein consists of 163 amino acid residues forming a protein of 18,075.5 Da. Its sequence is similar to apoLp-III from other Lepidopteran species, but remarkably different from the apoLp-IIIs of insects from other orders. As shown by mass spectrometric analysis, the protein carries no modifications. Thus, all of its known physiological functions, including its recently discovered immune response-stimulating activity, must reside in the protein itself.     

Spindle assembly defects leading to the formation of a monopolar mitotic apparatus

Mitotic spindle formation in animal cells involves microtubule nucleation from two centrosomes that are positioned at opposite sides of the nucleus. Microtubules are captured by the kinetochores and stabilized. In addition, microtubules can be nucleated independently of the centrosome and stabilized by a gradient of Ran—GTP, surrounding the mitotic chromatin. Complex regulation ensures the formation of a bipolar apparatus, involving motor proteins and controlled polymerization and depolymerization of microtubule ends. The bipolar apparatus is, in turn, responsible for faithful chromosome segregation. During recent years, a variety of experiments has indicated that defects in specific motor proteins, centrosome proteins, kinases and other proteins can induce the assembly of aberrant spindles with a monopolar morphology or with poorly separated poles. Induction of monopolar spindles may be a useful strategy for cancer therapy, since ensuing aberrant mitotic exit will usually lead to cell death. In this review, we will discuss the various underlying molecular mechanisms that may be responsible for monopolar spindle formation.     

Agricultural sustainability does not imply biocenotic sustainability

Abstract. Sustainability is an important quality of the types of agriculture nowadays promoted in central Europe, notably ‘biological agriculture’ and ‘integrated production’. Agronomists, decision-makers and the public generally assume that this agricultural sustainability implies the maintenance of species diversity. However, this assumption often does not hold true. This is shown in a case study of moderately ferti-lized Arrhenatheretum meadows in northern Switzerland. Earlier and more frequent mowing, simultaneous harvesting of all the grasslands in a region, and ecological changes in surrounding arable fields, hedges and other ecosystems often cause a decline in plant and animal species richness, while agricultural yield does not noticeably change. To emphasize the distinction the concept of biocenotic sustainability is proposed for describing the capability of a community to maintain its species composition and structure. For maintaining or attaining biocenotic sustainability. results of modern ecology have to be taken into account, e.g. the theories of island biogeography, minimum viable populations, dispersal, and metapopulations. There is evidence that biocenotic sustainability always implies sustainability of agricultural yield.     

Designing repeat proteins: modular leucine-rich repeat protein libraries based on the mammalian ribonuclease inhibitor family

We present a novel approach to design repeat proteins of the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) family for the generation of libraries of intracellular binding molecules. From an analysis of naturally occurring LRR proteins, we derived the concept to assemble repeat proteins with randomized surface positions from libraries of consensus repeat modules. As a guiding principle, we used the mammalian ribonuclease inhibitor (RI) family, which comprises cytosolic LRR proteins known for their extraordinary affinities to many RNases. By aligning the amino acid sequences of the internal repeats of human, pig, rat, and mouse RI, we derived a first consensus sequence for the characteristic alternating 28 and 29 amino acid residue A-type and B-type repeats. Structural considerations were used to replace all conserved cysteine residues, to define less conserved positions, and to decide where to introduce randomized amino acid residues. The so devised consensus RI repeat library was generated at the DNA level and assembled by stepwise ligation to give libraries of 2-12 repeats. Terminal capping repeats, known to shield the continuous hydrophobic core of the LRR domain from the surrounding solvent, were adapted from human RI. In this way, designed LRR protein libraries of 4-14 LRRs (equivalent to 130-415 amino acid residues) were obtained. The biophysical analysis of randomly chosen library members showed high levels of soluble expression in the Escherichia coli cytosol, monomeric behavior as characterized by gel-filtration, and alpha-helical CD spectra, confirming the success of our design approach.     

Inhibition of forebrain μ-opioid receptor signaling by low concentrations of rimonabant does not require cannabinoid receptors and directly involves μ-opioid receptors

Increasing number of publications shows that cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB(1)) specific compounds might act in a CB(1) independent manner, including rimonabant, a potent CB(1) receptor antagonist. Opioids, cannabinoids and their receptors are well known for their overlapping pharmacological properties. We have previously reported a prominent decrease in μ-opioid receptor (MOR) activity when animals were acutely treated with the putative endocannabinoid noladin ether (NE). In this study, we clarified whether the decreased MOR activation caused by NE could be reversed by rimonabant in CB(1) receptor deficient mice. In functional [(35)S]GTPγS binding assays, we have elucidated that 0.1mg/kg of intraperitoneal (i.p.) rimonabant treatment prior to that of NE treatment caused further attenuation on the maximal stimulation of Tyr-d-Ala-Gly-(NMe)Phe-Gly-ol (DAMGO), which is a highly specific MOR agonist. Similar inhibitory effects were observed when rimonabant was injected i.p. alone and when it was directly applied to forebrain membranes. These findings are cannabinoid receptor independent as rimonabant caused inhibition in both CB(1) single knockout and CB(1)/CB(2) double knockout mice. In radioligand competition binding assays we highlighted that rimonabant fails to displace effectively [(3)H]DAMGO from MOR in low concentrations and is highly unspecific on the receptor at high concentrations in CB(1) knockout forebrain and in their wild-type controls. Surprisingly, docking computational studies showed a favorable binding position of rimonabant to the inactive conformational state of MOR, indicating that rimonabant might behave as an antagonist at MOR. These findings were confirmed by radioligand competition binding assays in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with MOR, where a higher affinity binding site was measured in the displacement of the tritiated opioid receptor antagonist naloxone. However, based on our in vivo data we suggest that other, yet unidentified mechanisms are additionally involved in the observed effects.