scholarly journals Deamidation drives molecular aging of the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding motif

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramiro Lorenzo ◽  
Lucas A. Defelipe ◽  
Lucio Aliperti ◽  
Stephan Niebling ◽  
Tânia F. Custódio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Strong Dependence ◽  
Computational Prediction ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Virus Infectivity ◽  
Asparagine Deamidation ◽  
Molecular Aging ◽  
Virion Surface

The spike is the main protein component of the SARS-CoV-2 virion surface. The spike receptor binding motif mediates recognition of the hACE2 receptor, a critical infection step, and is the preferential target for spike-neutralizing antibodies. Post-translational modifications of the spike receptor binding motif can modulate viral infectivity and immune response. We studied the spike protein in search for asparagine deamidation, a spontaneous event that leads to the appearance of aspartic and isoaspartic residues, affecting both the protein backbone and its charge. We used computational prediction and biochemical experiments to identify five deamidation hotspots in the SARS-CoV-2 spike. Similar deamidation hotspots are frequently found at the spike receptor-binding motifs of related sarbecoviruses, at positions that are mutated in emerging variants and in escape mutants from neutralizing antibodies. Asparagine residues 481 and 501 from the receptor-binding motif deamidate with a half-time of 16.5 and 123 days at 37 °C, respectively. This process is significantly slowed down at 4 °C, pointing at a strong dependence of spike molecular aging on the environmental conditions. Deamidation of the spike receptor-binding motif decreases the equilibrium constant for binding to the hACE2 receptor more than 3.5-fold. A model for deamidation of the full SARS-CoV-2 virion illustrates that deamidation of the spike receptor-binding motif leads to the accumulation in the virion surface of a chemically diverse spike population in a timescale of days. Our findings provide a mechanism for molecular aging of the spike, with significant consequences for understanding virus infectivity and vaccine development.

scholarly journals Antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain that maximize breadth and resistance to viral escape

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler N Starr ◽  
Nadine Czudnochowski ◽  
Fabrizia Zatta ◽  
Young-Jun Park ◽  
Zhuoming Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Viral Escape ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Viral Neutralization ◽  
Parental Antibody

An ideal anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody would resist viral escape, have activity against diverse SARS-related coronaviruses, and be highly protective through viral neutralization and effector functions. Understanding how these properties relate to each other and vary across epitopes would aid development of antibody therapeutics and guide vaccine design. Here, we comprehensively characterize escape, breadth, and potency across a panel of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies targeting the receptor-binding domain (RBD), including S309, the parental antibody of the late-stage clinical antibody VIR-7831. We observe a tradeoff between SARS-CoV-2 in vitro neutralization potency and breadth of binding across SARS-related coronaviruses. Nevertheless, we identify several neutralizing antibodies with exceptional breadth and resistance to escape, including a new antibody (S2H97) that binds with high affinity to all SARS-related coronavirus clades via a unique RBD epitope centered on residue E516. S2H97 and other escape-resistant antibodies have high binding affinity and target functionally constrained RBD residues. We find that antibodies targeting the ACE2 receptor binding motif (RBM) typically have poor breadth and are readily escaped by mutations despite high neutralization potency, but we identify one potent RBM antibody (S2E12) with breadth across sarbecoviruses closely related to SARS-CoV-2 and with a high barrier to viral escape. These data highlight functional diversity among antibodies targeting the RBD and identify epitopes and features to prioritize for antibody and vaccine development against the current and potential future pandemics.

scholarly journals Computational Prediction of the Epitopes of HA1 Protein of Influenza Viruses to its Neutralizing Antibodies

Antibodies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Xiaoyan Zeng ◽  
Fiona Legge ◽  
Chao Huang ◽  
Xiao Zhang ◽  
Yongjun Jiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Crystal Structures ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Computational Prediction ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
New Method ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Antibody Recognition

In this work, we have used a new method to predict the epitopes of HA1 protein of influenza virus to several antibodies HC19, CR9114, BH151 and 4F5. While our results reproduced the binding epitopes of H3N2 or H5N1 for the neutralizing antibodies HC19, CR9114, and BH151 as revealed from the available crystal structures, additional epitopes for these antibodies were also suggested. Moreover, the predicted epitopes of H5N1 HA1 for the newly developed antibody 4F5 are located at the receptor binding domain, while previous study identified a region 76-WLLGNP-81 as the epitope. The possibility of antibody recognition of influenza virus via different mechanism by binding to different epitopes of an antigen is also discussed.

scholarly journals Structural basis for SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies with novel binding epitopes

PLoS Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. e3001209
Author(s):  
Dan Fu ◽  
Guangshun Zhang ◽  
Yuhui Wang ◽  
Zheng Zhang ◽  
Hengrui Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Variable Regions ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Antibody Discovery

The ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) threatens global public health and economy unprecedentedly, requiring accelerating development of prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. Molecular understanding of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) would greatly help advance the development of monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy, as well as the design of next generation recombinant vaccines. Here, we applied H2L2 transgenic mice encoding the human immunoglobulin variable regions, together with a state-of-the-art antibody discovery platform to immunize and isolate NAbs. From a large panel of isolated antibodies, 25 antibodies showed potent neutralizing activities at sub-nanomolar levels by engaging the spike receptor-binding domain (RBD). Importantly, one human NAb, termed PR1077, from the H2L2 platform and 2 humanized NAb, including PR953 and PR961, were further characterized and subjected for subsequent structural analysis. High-resolution X-ray crystallography structures unveiled novel epitopes on the receptor-binding motif (RBM) for PR1077 and PR953, which directly compete with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) for binding, and a novel non-blocking epitope on the neighboring site near RBM for PR961. Moreover, we further tested the antiviral efficiency of PR1077 in the Ad5-hACE2 transduction mouse model of COVID-19. A single injection provided potent protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in either prophylactic or treatment groups. Taken together, these results shed light on the development of mAb-related therapeutic interventions for COVID-19.

scholarly journals Conformational Dynamics of Nonenveloped Circovirus Capsid to the Host Cell Receptor

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiarong Li ◽  
Jinyan Gu ◽  
Shengnan Wang ◽  
Cui Lin ◽  
Jianwei Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Dynamic Equilibrium ◽  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Cell Surface Receptor ◽  
Virus Infectivity ◽  
Surface Receptor ◽  
Nonenveloped Virus

AbstractCircovirus, comprising one capsid protein, is the smallest nonenveloped virus and induces lymphopenia. Circovirus can be used to explore the cell adhesion mechanism of nonenveloped viruses. We developed a single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) assay to directly visualize the capsid’s conformational feature. The capsid underwent reversible dynamic transformation between three conformations. The cell surface receptor heparan sulfate (HS) altered the dynamic equilibrium of the capsid to the high-FRET state, revealing the HS binding region. Neutralizing antibodies restricted capsid transition to a low-FRET state, masking the HS binding domain. The lack of positively charged amino acids in the HS binding site reduced cell surface affinity and attenuated virus infectivity via conformational changes. These intrinsic characteristics of the capsid suggested that conformational dynamics is critical for the structural changes occurring upon cell surface receptor binding, supporting a dynamics-based mechanism of receptor binding.ImportanceViral proteins were commom working as ligand to interacte with cell surface glycosaminoglycan receptors to achieve the virus attachment, during which the conformational dynamics of the protein ligand are also vital for the binding properties. In this study, PCV2 capsid and heparin sulfate were used to study the protein conformational dynamics of nonenveloped and icosahedral circovirus capsid during triggering to cell surface receptor. we demonstrated the PCV2 capsid could acts as a dynamic machine, spontaneously adopting multiple conformations with reversible interconversion and intrinsic conformational features could be regulated by glycosaminoglycan receptors and neutralizing antibodies. These increased our understanding of the mechanism by which nonenveloped virus attach to cells.

scholarly journals Engineered receptor binding domain immunogens elicit pan-coronavirus neutralizing antibodies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blake M. Hauser ◽  
Maya Sangesland ◽  
Evan C. Lam ◽  
Jared Feldman ◽  
Ashraf S. Yousif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Major Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
Major Surface

AbstractEffective countermeasures are needed against emerging coronaviruses of pandemic potential, similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Designing immunogens that elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies to conserved viral epitopes on the major surface glycoprotein, spike, such as the receptor binding domain (RBD) is one potential approach. Here, we report the generation of homotrimeric RBD immunogens from different sarbecoviruses using a stabilized, immune-silent trimerization tag. We find that that a cocktail of homotrimeric sarbecovirus RBDs can elicit a neutralizing response to all components even in context of prior SARS-CoV-2 imprinting. Importantly, the cross-neutralizing antibody responses are focused towards conserved RBD epitopes outside of the ACE-2 receptor-binding motif. This may be an effective strategy for eliciting broadly neutralizing responses leading to a pan-sarbecovirus vaccine.

scholarly journals The receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike is the key target of neutralizing antibody in human polyclonal sera

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara L. Steffen ◽  
E. Taylor Stone ◽  
Mariah Hassert ◽  
Elizabeth Geerling ◽  
Brian T. Grimberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibody Response ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Antigenic Determinants ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Neutralization Capacity

AbstractNatural infection of SARS-CoV-2 in humans leads to the development of a strong neutralizing antibody response, however the immunodominant targets of the polyclonal neutralizing antibody response are still unknown. Here, we functionally define the role SARS-CoV-2 spike plays as a target of the human neutralizing antibody response. In this study, we identify the spike protein subunits that contain antigenic determinants and examine the neutralization capacity of polyclonal sera from a cohort of patients that tested qRT-PCR-positive for SARS-CoV-2. Using an ELISA format, we assessed binding of human sera to spike subunit 1 (S1), spike subunit 2 (S2) and the receptor binding domain (RBD) of spike. To functionally identify the key target of neutralizing antibody, we depleted sera of subunit-specific antibodies to determine the contribution of these individual subunits to the antigen-specific neutralizing antibody response. We show that epitopes within RBD are the target of a majority of the neutralizing antibodies in the human polyclonal antibody response. These data provide critical information for vaccine development and development of sensitive and specific serological testing.

Engineered Receptor Binding Domain Immunogens Elicit Pan-Coronavirus Neutralizing Antibodies Outside the Receptor Binding Motif

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blake M. Hauser ◽  
Maya Sangesland ◽  
Evan Christopher Lam ◽  
Jared Feldman ◽  
Ashraf S. Yousif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain

scholarly journals Dissection of Epitope-Specific Mechanisms of Neutralization of Influenza Virus by Intact IgG and Fab Fragments

2017 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Williams ◽  
Long Gui ◽  
Nancy Hom ◽  
Alexander Mileant ◽  
Kelly K. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Virus Infectivity ◽  
Fab Fragment ◽  
Fab Fragments ◽  
Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin ◽  
Fusion Glycoprotein ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTThe neutralizing antibody (nAb) response against the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) fusion glycoprotein is important for preventing viral infection, but we lack a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms by which these antibodies act. Here we investigated the effect of nAb binding and the role of IgG bivalency in the inhibition of HA function for nAbs targeting distinct HA epitopes. HC19 targets the receptor binding pocket at the distal end of HA, while FI6v3 binds primarily to the HA2 fusion subunit toward the base of the stalk. Surprisingly, HC19 inhibited the ability of HA to induce lipid mixing by preventing the structural rearrangement of HA under fusion-activating conditions. These results suggest that nAbs such as HC19 not only act by blocking receptor binding but also inhibit key late-stage HA conformational changes required for fusion. Intact HC19 IgG was also shown to cross-link separate virus particles, burying large proportions of HA within aggregates where they are blocked from interacting with target membranes; Fabs yielded no such aggregation and displayed weaker neutralization than IgG, emphasizing the impact of bivalency on the ability to neutralize virus. In contrast, the stem-targeting nAb FI6v3 did not aggregate particles. The Fab fragment was significantly less effective than IgG in preventing both membrane disruption and fusion. We infer that interspike cross-linking within a given particle by FI6v3 IgG may be critical to its potent neutralization, as no significant neutralization occurred with Fabs. These results demonstrate that IgG bivalency enhances HA inhibition through functionally important modes not evident in pared-down Fab-soluble HA structures.IMPORTANCEThe influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) fusion glycoprotein mediates entry into target cells and is the primary antigenic target of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs). Our current structural understanding of mechanisms of antibody (Ab)-mediated neutralization largely relies on the high-resolution characterization of antigen binding (Fab) fragments in complex with soluble, isolated antigen constructs by cryo-electron microscopy (EM) single-particle reconstruction or X-ray crystallography. Interactions between full-length IgG and whole virions have not been well characterized, and a gap remains in our understanding of how intact Abs neutralize virus and prevent infection. Using structural and biophysical approaches, we observed that Ab-mediated inhibition of HA function and neutralization of virus infectivity occur by multiple coexisting mechanisms, are largely dependent on the specific epitope that is targeted, and are highly dependent on the bivalent nature of IgG molecules.

scholarly journals Deamidation drives molecular aging of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding motif

2021 ◽  
pp. 101175
Author(s):  
Ramiro Lorenzo ◽  
Lucas A. Defelipe ◽  
Lucio Aliperti ◽  
Stephan Niebling ◽  
Tânia F. Custódio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Protein Receptor ◽  
Molecular Aging

scholarly journals Substitutions at the Putative Receptor-Binding Site of an Encephalitic Flavivirus Alter Virulence and Host Cell Tropism and Reveal a Role for Glycosaminoglycans in Entry

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (19) ◽  
pp. 8867-8875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Lee ◽  
Mario Lobigs
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Virus Entry ◽  
Single Amino Acid ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Virus Infectivity ◽  
Cell Tropism ◽  
E Protein ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT The flavivirus receptor-binding domain has been putatively assigned to a hydrophilic region (FG loop) in the envelope (E) protein. In some flaviviruses this domain harbors the integrin-binding motif Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD). One of us has shown earlier that host cell adaptation of Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVE) can result in the selection of attenuated variants altered at E protein residue Asp390, which is part of an RGD motif. Here, a full-length, infectious cDNA clone of MVE was constructed and employed to systematically investigate the impact of single amino acid changes at Asp390 on cell tropism, virus entry, and virulence. Each of 10 different E protein 390 mutants was viable. Three mutants (Gly390, Ala390, and His390) showed pronounced differences from an infectious clone-derived control virus in growth in mammalian and mosquito cells. The altered cell tropism correlated with (i) a difference in entry kinetics, (ii) an increased dependence on glycosaminoglycans (determined by inhibition of virus infectivity by heparin) for attachment of the three mutants to different mammalian cells, and (iii) the loss of virulence in mice. These results confirm a functional role of the FG loop in the flavivirus E protein in virus entry and suggest that encephalitic flaviviruses can enter cells via attachment to glycosaminoglycans. However, it appears that additional cell surface molecules are also used as receptors by natural isolates of MVE and that the increased dependence on glycosaminoglycans for entry results in the loss of neuroinvasiveness.

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