scholarly journals ACE2 fragment as a decoy for novel SARS-Cov-2 virus

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiana Renzi ◽  
Dario Ghersi
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Cellular Membrane ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Viral Binding ◽  
Binding Surface ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Novel SARS-Cov-2 enters human cells via interaction between the surface spike (S) glycoprotein and the cellular membrane receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Using a combination of comparative structural analyses of the binding surface of the S protein to ACE2, docking experiments, and molecular dynamics simulations we computationally identified a minimal, stable fragment of ACE2. This fragment binds to the S protein, is soluble, and appears not to bind to the physiological ligand angiotensinII. These results suggest a possible use of the ACE2 fragment as a decoy that could interfere with viral binding by competition.

scholarly journals Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of the Interaction between Human Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 and Spike Protein Receptor Binding Domain of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 Variant

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1244
Author(s):  
Priya Antony ◽  
Ranjit Vijayan
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has had a significant impact on people’s daily lives. The rapidly spreading B.1.617 lineage harbors two key mutations—L452R and E484Q—in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of its spike (S) protein. To understand the impact and structural dynamics of the variations in the interface of S protein and its host factor, the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2), triplicate 500 ns molecular dynamics simulations were performed using single (E484Q or L452R) and double (E484Q + L452R) mutant structures and compared to wild type simulations. Our results indicate that the E484Q mutation disrupts the conserved salt bridge formed between Lys31 of hACE2 and Glu484 of S protein. Additionally, E484Q, which could favor the up conformation of the RBD, may help in enhanced hACE2 binding and immune escape. L452R introduces a charged patch near the binding surface that permits increased electrostatic attraction between the proteins. An improved network of intramolecular interactions observed is likely to increase the stability of the S protein and conformational changes may prevent the binding of neutralizing antibodies. The results obtained from the molecular dynamics simulations suggest that structural and dynamic changes introduced by these variations enhance the affinity of the viral S protein to hACE2 and could form the basis for further studies.

scholarly journals Computational analysis on the ACE2-derived peptides for neutralizing the ACE2 binding to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecylia S. Lupala ◽  
Vikash Kumar ◽  
Xuanxuan Li ◽  
Xiao-dong Su ◽  
Haiguang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ◽  
Computational Analysis ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Short Peptides ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

ABSTRACTThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the COVID-19, is spreading globally and has infected more than 3 million people. It has been discovered that SARS-CoV-2 initiates the entry into cells by binding to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) through the receptor binding domain (RBD) of its spike glycoprotein. Hence, drugs that can interfere the SARS-CoV-2-RBD binding to hACE2 potentially can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 from entering human cells. Here, based on the N-terminal helix α1 of human ACE2, we designed nine short peptides that have potential to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 binding. Molecular dynamics simulations of peptides in the their free and SARS-CoV-2 RBD-bound forms allow us to identify fragments that are stable in water and have strong binding affinity to the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins. The important interactions between peptides and RBD are highlighted to provide guidance for the design of peptidomimetics against the SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Comprehensive characterization of N- and O- glycosylation of SARS-CoV-2 human receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asif Shajahan ◽  
Stephanie Archer-Hartmann ◽  
Nitin T. Supekar ◽  
Anne S. Gleinich ◽  
Christian Heiss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Glycosylation Site ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Viral Attachment ◽  
Viral Binding ◽  
Glycosylation Sites

AbstractThe emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has created the need for development of new therapeutic strategies. Understanding the mode of viral attachment, entry and replication has become a key aspect of such interventions. The coronavirus surface features a trimeric spike (S) protein that is essential for viral attachment, entry and membrane fusion. The S protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds to human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) for entry. Herein, we describe glycomic and glycoproteomic analysis of hACE2 expressed in HEK293 human cells. We observed high glycan occupancy (73.2 to 100%) at all seven possible N-glycosylation sites and surprisingly detected one novel O-glycosylation site. To deduce the detailed structure of glycan epitopes on hACE2 that may be involved in viral binding, we have characterized the terminal sialic acid linkages, the presence of bisecting GlcNAc, and the pattern of N-glycan fucosylation. We have conducted extensive manual interpretation of each glycopeptide and glycan spectrum, in addition to using bioinformatics tools to validate the hACE2 glycosylation. Our elucidation of the site-specific glycosylation and its terminal orientations on the hACE2 receptor, along with the modeling of hACE2 glycosylation sites can aid in understanding the intriguing virus-receptor interactions and assist in the development of novel therapeutics to prevent viral entry. The relevance of studying the role of ACE2 is further increased due to some recent reports about the varying ACE2 dependent complications with regard to age, sex, race, and pre-existing conditions of COVID-19 patients.

scholarly journals Comprehensive characterization of N- and O- glycosylation of SARS-CoV-2 human receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2

Glycobiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asif Shajahan ◽  
Stephanie Archer-Hartmann ◽  
Nitin T Supekar ◽  
Anne S Gleinich ◽  
Christian Heiss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Glycosylation Site ◽  
Hek293 Cells ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Viral Attachment ◽  
Viral Binding ◽  
Glycosylation Sites

Abstract The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has created the need for development of new therapeutic strategies. Understanding the mode of viral attachment, entry and replication has become a key aspect of such interventions. The coronavirus surface features a trimeric spike (S) protein that is essential for viral attachment, entry and membrane fusion. The S protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds to human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) for entry. Herein, we describe glycomic and glycoproteomic analysis of hACE2 expressed in HEK293 cells. We observed high glycan occupancy (73.2 to 100%) at all seven possible N-glycosylation sites and surprisingly detected one novel O-glycosylation site. To deduce the detailed structure of glycan epitopes on hACE2 that may be involved in viral binding, we have characterized the terminal sialic acid linkages, the presence of bisecting GlcNAc and the pattern of N-glycan fucosylation. We have conducted extensive manual interpretation of each glycopeptide and glycan spectrum, in addition to using bioinformatics tools to validate the hACE2 glycosylation. Our elucidation of the site-specific glycosylation and its terminal orientations on the hACE2 receptor, along with the modeling of hACE2 glycosylation sites can aid in understanding the intriguing virus-receptor interactions and assist in the development of novel therapeutics to prevent viral entry. The relevance of studying the role of ACE2 is further increased due to some recent reports about the varying ACE2 dependent complications with regard to age, sex, race and pre-existing conditions of COVID-19 patients.

scholarly journals Mutations from bat ACE2 orthologs markedly enhance ACE2-Fc neutralization of SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huihui Mou ◽  
Brian D. Quinlan ◽  
Haiyong Peng ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Shoujiao Peng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
Viral Receptor ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Protein Receptor ◽  
Horseshoe Bat ◽  
Horseshoe Bats

SUMMARYThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein mediates infection of cells expressing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 is also the viral receptor of SARS-CoV (SARS-CoV-1), a related coronavirus that emerged in 2002-2003. Horseshoe bats (genus Rhinolophus) are presumed to be the original reservoir of both viruses, and a SARS-like coronavirus, RaTG13, closely related SARS-CoV-2, has been isolated from one horseshoe-bat species. Here we characterize the ability of S-protein receptor-binding domains (RBDs) of SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, and RaTG13 to bind a range of ACE2 orthologs. We observed that the SARS-CoV-2 RBD bound human, pangolin, and horseshoe bat (R. macrotis) ACE2 more efficiently than the SARS-CoV-1 or RaTG13 RBD. Only the RaTG13 RBD bound rodent ACE2 orthologs efficiently. Five mutations drawn from ACE2 orthologs of nine Rhinolophus species enhanced human ACE2 binding to the SARS-CoV-2 RBD and neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 by an immunoadhesin form of human ACE2 (ACE2-Fc). Two of these mutations impaired neutralization of SARS-CoV-1. An ACE2-Fc variant bearing all five mutations neutralized SARS-CoV-2 five-fold more efficiently than human ACE2-Fc. These data narrow the potential SARS-CoV-2 reservoir, suggest that SARS-CoV-1 and -2 originate from distinct bat species, and identify a more potently neutralizing form of ACE2-Fc.

scholarly journals Computational design of ACE2-based short peptide inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanxiao Han ◽  
Petr Kral
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Computational Design ◽  
Peptide Inhibitors ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
Protease Domain ◽  
Alpha Helices ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Short Peptide ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

<div>Peptide inhibitors against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, currently causing a worldwide pandemic, are designed and simulated. The inhibitors are formed by two sequential self-supporting alpha-helices (bundle) extracted from the protease domain (PD) of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which binds to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domains. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the peptides maintain their secondary structure and provide a highly specific and stable binding (blocking) to SARS-CoV-2, determined by their sequences and conformations. The proposed peptide inhibitors could provide simple therapeutics against the COVID-19 disease.</div>

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