scholarly journals Pentosan polysulfate inhibits attachment and infection by SARS-CoV-2 in vitro: insights into structural requirements for binding.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Bertini ◽  
Anna Alekseeva ◽  
Stefano Elli ◽  
Isabel Pagani ◽  
Serena Zanzoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Vero Cell ◽  
Cell Invasion ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Oral Treatment ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Titration Calorimetry ◽  
Pentosan Polysulfate ◽  
Cell Infection

Two years since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there remain few clinically effective drugs to complement vaccines. One is the anticoagulant, heparin, which in 2004 was found able to inhibit invasion of SARS CoV (CoV-1) and which has been employed during the current pandemic to prevent thromboembolic complications and moderate potentially damaging inflammation. Heparin has also been shown experimentally to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 attachment and infection in susceptible cells. At high therapeutic doses however, heparin increases the risk of bleeding and prolonged use can cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, a serious side-effect. One alternative, with structural similarities to heparin is the plant-derived, semi-synthetic polysaccharide, pentosan polysulfate (PPS). PPS is an established drug for the oral treatment of interstitial cystitis, is well-tolerated and exhibits weaker anticoagulant effects than heparin. In an established Vero cell model, PPS and its fractions of varying molecular weights, inhibited invasion by SARS-CoV-2. Intact PPS and its size-defined fractions were characterized by molecular weight distribution and chemical structure using NMR spectroscopy and LC-MS, then employed to explore the structural basis of interactions with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (S1 RBD) and the inhibition of Vero cell invasion. PPS was as effective as unfractionated heparin, but more effective at inhibiting cell infection than low molecular weight heparin (on a weight/volume basis). Isothermal titration calorimetry and viral plaque-forming assays demonstrated size-dependent binding to S1 RBD and inhibition of Vero cell invasion, suggesting the potential application of PPS as a novel inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

scholarly journals Enoxaparin and Pentosan Polysulfate Bind to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and Human ACE2 Receptor, Inhibiting Vero Cell Infection

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Maria Ennemoser ◽  
Julia Rieger ◽  
Eva Muttenthaler ◽  
Tanja Gerlza ◽  
Kurt Zatloukal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heparan Sulfate ◽  
Viral Transmission ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Pentosan Polysulfate ◽  
Cell Infection ◽  
Virus Surface ◽  
Kd Values

As with many other pathogens, SARS-CoV-2 cell infection is strongly dependent on the interaction of the virus-surface Spike protein with the glycosaminoglycans of target cells. The SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein was previously shown to interact with cell-surface-exposed heparan sulfate and heparin in vitro. With the aim of using Enoxaparin as a treatment for COVID-19 patients and as prophylaxis to prevent interpersonal viral transmission, we investigated GAG binding to the Spike full-length protein, as well as to its receptor binding domain (RBD) in solution by isothermal fluorescence titration. We found that Enoxaparin bound to both protein variants with similar affinities, compared to the natural GAG ligand heparan sulfate (with Kd-values in the range of 600–680 nM). Using size-defined Enoxaparin fragments, we discovered the optimum binding for dp6 or dp8 for the full-length Spike protein, whereas the RBD did not exhibit a significant chain-length-dependent affinity for heparin oligosaccharides. The soluble ACE2 receptor was found to interact with unfractionated GAGs in the low µM Kd range, but with size-defined heparins with clearly sub-µM Kd-values. Interestingly, the structural heparin analogue, pentosan polysulfate (PPS), exhibited high binding affinities to both Spike variants as well as to the ACE2 receptor. In viral infection experiments, Enoxaparin and PPS both showed a strong inhibition of infection in a concentration range of 50–500 µg/mL. Both compounds were found to retain their inhibitory effects at 500 µg/mL in a natural biomatrix-like human sputum. Our data suggest the early topical treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections with inhaled Enoxaparin; some clinical studies in this direction are already ongoing, and they further imply an oral or nasal prophylactic inactivation of the virus by Enoxaparin or PPS for the prevention of inter-personal viral transmission.

scholarly journals The chaperone Hsp70 is a BH3 receptor activated by the pro-apoptotic Bim to stabilize anti-apoptotic clients

2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (37) ◽  
pp. 12900-12909
Author(s):  
Zongwei Guo ◽  
Ting Song ◽  
Ziqian Wang ◽  
Donghai Lin ◽  
Keke Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atpase Activity ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Protein Misfolding ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Titration Calorimetry ◽  
Allosteric Site ◽  
Transverse Relaxation ◽  
Bh3 Domain

The chaperone heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is crucial for avoiding protein misfolding under stress, but is also up-regulated in many kinds of cancers, where its ability to buffer cellular stress prevents apoptosis. Previous research has suggested Hsp70 interacts with pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, including Bim and Bax. However, a definitive demonstration of this interaction awaits, and insights into the structural basis and molecular mechanism remain unclear. Earlier studies have identified a Bcl-2 homology 3 (BH3) domain present in Bcl-2 family members that engages receptors to stimulate apoptosis. We now show that Hsp70 physically interacts with pro-apoptotic multidomain and BH3-only proteins via a BH3 domain, thereby serving as a novel BH3 receptor, using in vitro fluorescent polarization (FP), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and cell-based co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) experiments, 1H-15N-transverse relaxation optimized spectroscopy (TROSY-HSQC), trypsin proteolysis, ATPase activity, and denatured rhodanese aggregation measurements further demonstrated that BimBH3 binds to a novel allosteric site in the nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) of Hsp70, by which Bim acts as a positive co-chaperone to promote the ATPase activity and chaperone functions. A dual role of Hsp70's anti-apoptotic function was revealed that when it keeps Bim in check to inhibit apoptosis, it simultaneously stabilizes oncogenic clients including AKT and Raf-1 with the aid of Bim. Two faces of Bim in cell fate regulation were revealed that in opposite to its well-established pro-apoptotic activator role, Bim could help the folding of oncogenic proteins.

Structural basis for histone H3K4me3 recognition by the N-terminal domain of the PHD finger protein Spp1

2019 ◽  
Vol 476 (13) ◽  
pp. 1957-1973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao He ◽  
Ning Liu ◽  
Dongya Xie ◽  
Yanhong Liu ◽  
Yazhong Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Strand Break ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Titration Calorimetry ◽  
Chromatin Binding ◽  
Phd Finger ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Saccharomyces Pombe ◽  
Plant Homeodomain ◽  
Histone H3k4

Abstract Saccharomyces cerevisiae Spp1, a plant homeodomain (PHD) finger containing protein, is a critical subunit of the histone H3K4 methyltransferase complex of proteins associated with Set1 (COMPASS). The chromatin binding affinity of the PHD finger of Spp1 has been proposed to modulate COMPASS activity. During meiosis, Spp1 plays another role in promoting programmed double-strand break (DSB) formation by binding H3K4me3 via its PHD finger and interacting with a DSB protein, Mer2. However, how the Spp1 PHD finger performs site-specific readout of H3K4me3 is still not fully understood. In the present study, we determined the crystal structure of the highly conserved Spp1 N-terminal domain (Sc_Spp1NTD) in complex with the H3K4me3 peptide. The structure shows that Sc_Spp1NTD comprises a PHD finger responsible for methylated H3K4 recognition and a C3H-type zinc finger necessary to ensure the overall structural stability. Our isothermal titration calorimetry results show that binding of H3K4me3 to Sc_Spp1NTD is mildly inhibited by H3R2 methylation, weakened by H3T6 phosphorylation, and abrogated by H3T3 phosphorylation. This histone modification cross-talk, which is conserved in the Saccharomyces pombe and mammalian orthologs of Sc_Spp1 in vitro, can be rationalized structurally and might contribute to the roles of Spp1 in COMPASS activity regulation and meiotic recombination.

scholarly journals Low molecular weight heparin suppresses tissue factor-mediated cancer cell invasion and migration in vitro

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
CAMILLE ETTELAIE ◽  
DONNA FOUNTAIN ◽  
MARY ELIZABETH W. COLLIER ◽  
ELLIE BEEBY ◽  
YU PEI XIAO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Tissue Factor ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Cell Invasion ◽  
Low Molecular Weight Heparin ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Cancer Cell Invasion ◽  
Invasion And Migration ◽  
And Migration

scholarly journals Neospora caninum Microneme Protein NcMIC3: Secretion, Subcellular Localization, and Functional Involvement in Host Cell Interaction

2001 ◽  
Vol 69 (10) ◽  
pp. 6483-6494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arunasalam Naguleswaran ◽  
Angela Cannas ◽  
Nadine Keller ◽  
Nathalie Vonlaufen ◽  
Gereon Schares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Subcellular Localization ◽  
Vero Cell ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Cell Invasion ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Soluble Form ◽  
Host Cell Invasion ◽  
Microneme Proteins

ABSTRACT In apicomplexan parasites, host cell adhesion and subsequent invasion involve the sequential release of molecules originating from secretory organelles named micronemes, rhoptries, and dense granules. Microneme proteins have been shown to be released at the onset of the initial contact between the parasite and the host cell and thus mediate and establish the physical interaction between the parasite and the host cell surface. This interaction most likely involves adhesive domains found within the polypeptide sequences of most microneme proteins identified to date. NcMIC3 is a microneme-associated protein found inNeospora caninum tachyzoites and bradyzoites, and a large portion of this protein is comprised of a stretch of four consecutive epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains. We determined the subcellular localization of NcMIC3 prior to and following host cell invasion and found that NcMIC3 was secreted onto the tachyzoite surface immediately following host cell lysis in a temperature-dependent manner. Surface-exposed NcMIC3 could be detected up to 2 to 3 h following host cell invasion, and at later time points the distribution of the protein was again restricted to the micronemes. In vitro secretion assays using purified tachyzoites showed that following secretion onto the surface, NcMIC3 was largely translocated towards the posterior end of the parasite, employing a mechanism which requires a functional actin microfilament system. Following this, the protein remained bound to the parasite surface, since it could not be detected in a soluble form in respective culture supernatants. Secretion of NcMIC3 onto the surface resulted in an outward exposure of the EGF-like domains and coincided with an increased capacity of N. caninumtachyzoites to adhere to Vero cell monolayers in vitro, a capacity which could be inhibited by addition of antibodies directed against the EGF-like domains. NcMIC3 is a prominent component of Triton X-100 lysates of tachyzoites, and cosedimentation assays employing prefixed Vero cells showed that the protein binds to the Vero cell surface. In addition, the EGF-like domains, expressed as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli, also interacted with the Vero cell surface, while binding of NcSRS2 and NcSAG1, the major immunodominant surface antigens, was not as efficient. Our data are indicative of a functional role of NcMIC3 in host cell infection.

scholarly journals Phytophthora sojae effector Avr1d functions as an E2 competitor and inhibits ubiquitination activity of GmPUB13 to facilitate infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (10) ◽  
pp. e2018312118
Author(s):  
Yachun Lin ◽  
Qinli Hu ◽  
Jia Zhou ◽  
Weixiao Yin ◽  
Deqiang Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hairy Roots ◽  
Ubiquitin Ligase ◽  
E3 Ligase ◽  
Phytophthora Sojae ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Titration Calorimetry ◽  
Susceptibility Factor

Oomycete pathogens such as Phytophthora secrete a repertoire of effectors into host cells to manipulate host immunity and benefit infection. In this study, we found that an RxLR effector, Avr1d, promoted Phytophthora sojae infection in soybean hairy roots. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we identified the soybean E3 ubiquitin ligase GmPUB13 as a host target for Avr1d. By coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP), gel infiltration, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) assays, we confirmed that Avr1d interacts with GmPUB13 both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we found that Avr1d inhibits the E3 ligase activity of GmPUB13. The crystal structure Avr1d in complex with GmPUB13 was solved and revealed that Avr1d occupies the binding site for E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzyme on GmPUB13. In line with this, Avr1d competed with E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzymes for GmPUB13 binding in vitro, thereby decreasing the E3 ligase activity of GmPUB13. Meanwhile, we found that inactivation of the ubiquitin ligase activity of GmPUB13 stabilized GmPUB13 by blocking GmPUB13 degradation. Silencing of GmPUB13 in soybean hairy roots decreased P. sojae infection, suggesting that GmPUB13 acts as a susceptibility factor. Altogether, this study highlights a virulence mechanism of Phytophthora effectors, by which Avr1d competes with E2 for GmPUB13 binding to repress the GmPUB13 E3 ligase activity and thereby stabilizing the susceptibility factor GmPUB13 to facilitate Phytophthora infection. This study unravels the structural basis for modulation of host targets by Phytophthora effectors and will be instrumental for boosting plant resistance breeding.

Endogenous hydrogen sulfide sulfhydrates IKKβ at cysteine 179 to control pulmonary artery endothelial cell inflammation

2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (20) ◽  
pp. 2045-2059 ◽  
Author(s):  
Da Zhang ◽  
Xiuli Wang ◽  
Siyao Chen ◽  
Selena Chen ◽  
Wen Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Sulfide ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Pulmonary Artery ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Critical Event ◽  
Hypertensive Rats ◽  
Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cell

Abstract Background: Pulmonary artery endothelial cell (PAEC) inflammation is a critical event in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, the pathogenesis of PAEC inflammation remains unclear. Methods: Purified recombinant human inhibitor of κB kinase subunit β (IKKβ) protein, human PAECs and monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertensive rats were employed in the study. Site-directed mutagenesis, gene knockdown or overexpression were conducted to manipulate the expression or activity of a target protein. Results: We showed that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) inhibited IKKβ activation in the cell model of human PAEC inflammation induced by monocrotaline pyrrole-stimulation or knockdown of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), an H2S generating enzyme. Mechanistically, H2S was proved to inhibit IKKβ activity directly via sulfhydrating IKKβ at cysteinyl residue 179 (C179) in purified recombinant IKKβ protein in vitro, whereas thiol reductant dithiothreitol (DTT) reversed H2S-induced IKKβ inactivation. Furthermore, to demonstrate the significance of IKKβ sulfhydration by H2S in the development of PAEC inflammation, we mutated C179 to serine (C179S) in IKKβ. In purified IKKβ protein, C179S mutation of IKKβ abolished H2S-induced IKKβ sulfhydration and the subsequent IKKβ inactivation. In human PAECs, C179S mutation of IKKβ blocked H2S-inhibited IKKβ activation and PAEC inflammatory response. In pulmonary hypertensive rats, C179S mutation of IKKβ abolished the inhibitory effect of H2S on IKKβ activation and pulmonary vascular inflammation and remodeling. Conclusion: Collectively, our in vivo and in vitro findings demonstrated, for the first time, that endogenous H2S directly inactivated IKKβ via sulfhydrating IKKβ at Cys179 to inhibit nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway activation and thereby control PAEC inflammation in PAH.

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