scholarly journals Exaptation of Retroviral Syncytin for Development of Syncytialized Placenta, Its Limited Homology to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and Arguments against Disturbing Narrative in the Context of COVID-19 Vaccination

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
Malgorzata Kloc ◽  
Ahmed Uosef ◽  
Jacek Z. Kubiak ◽  
Rafik M. Ghobrial
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Envelope Glycoprotein ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Mammalian Evolution ◽  
Trophoblast Cells ◽  
Host Cell Membrane ◽  
Uterine Endometrium

Human placenta formation relies on the interaction between fused trophoblast cells of the embryo with uterine endometrium. The fusion between trophoblast cells, first into cytotrophoblast and then into syncytiotrophoblast, is facilitated by the fusogenic protein syncytin. Syncytin derives from an envelope glycoprotein (ENV) of retroviral origin. In exogenous retroviruses, the envelope glycoproteins coded by env genes allow fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane and entry of the virus into a host cell. During mammalian evolution, the env genes have been repeatedly, and independently, captured by various mammalian species to facilitate the formation of the placenta. Such a shift in the function of a gene, or a trait, for a different purpose during evolution is called an exaptation (co-option). We discuss the structure and origin of the placenta, the fusogenic and non-fusogenic functions of syncytin, and the mechanism of cell fusion. We also comment on an alleged danger of the COVID-19 vaccine based on the presupposed similarity between syncytin and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

scholarly journals An Antibody Directed against the Fusion Peptide of Junín Virus Envelope Glycoprotein GPC Inhibits pH-Induced Membrane Fusion

2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (12) ◽  
pp. 6119-6129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne York ◽  
Jody D. Berry ◽  
Ute Ströher ◽  
Qunnu Li ◽  
Heinz Feldmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Envelope Glycoprotein ◽  
Fusion Peptide ◽  
Intermediate Form ◽  
Viral Fusion ◽  
Virus Envelope ◽  
Host Cell Membrane ◽  
Helix Bundle

ABSTRACT The arenavirus envelope glycoprotein (GPC) initiates infection in the host cell through pH-induced fusion of the viral and endosomal membranes. As in other class I viral fusion proteins, this process proceeds through a structural reorganization in GPC in which the ectodomain of the transmembrane fusion subunit (G2) engages the host cell membrane and subsequently refolds to form a highly stable six-helix bundle structure that brings the two membranes into apposition for fusion. Here, we describe a G2-directed monoclonal antibody, F100G5, that prevents membrane fusion by binding to an intermediate form of the protein on the fusion pathway. Inhibition of syncytium formation requires that F100G5 be present concomitant with exposure of GPC to acidic pH. We show that F100G5 recognizes neither the six-helix bundle nor the larger trimer-of-hairpins structure in the postfusion form of G2. Rather, Western blot analysis using recombinant proteins and a panel of alanine-scanning GPC mutants revealed that F100G5 binding is dependent on an invariant lysine residue (K283) near the N terminus of G2, in the so-called fusion peptide that inserts into the host cell membrane during the fusion process. The F100G5 epitope is located in the internal segment of the bipartite GPC fusion peptide, which also contains four conserved cysteine residues, raising the possibility that this fusion peptide may be highly structured. Collectively, our studies indicate that F100G5 identifies an on-path intermediate form of GPC. Binding to the transiently exposed fusion peptide may interfere with G2 insertion into the host cell membrane. Strategies to effectively target fusion peptide function in the endosome may lead to novel classes of antiviral agents.

scholarly journals Herpes Simplex Virus Cell Entry Mechanisms: An Update

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishnaraju Madavaraju ◽  
Raghuram Koganti ◽  
Ipsita Volety ◽  
Tejabhiram Yadavalli ◽  
Deepak Shukla
Keyword(s):  
Herpes Simplex Virus ◽  
Herpes Simplex ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Broad Host Range ◽  
Host Cell Membrane ◽  
Tegument Proteins ◽  
Simplex Virus

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) can infect a broad host range and cause mild to life threating infections in humans. The surface glycoproteins of HSV are evolutionarily conserved and show an extraordinary ability to bind more than one receptor on the host cell surface. Following attachment, the virus fuses its lipid envelope with the host cell membrane and releases its nucleocapsid along with tegument proteins into the cytosol. With the help of tegument proteins and host cell factors, the nucleocapsid is then docked into the nuclear pore. The viral double stranded DNA is then released into the host cell’s nucleus. Released viral DNA either replicates rapidly (more commonly in non-neuronal cells) or stays latent inside the nucleus (in sensory neurons). The fusion of the viral envelope with host cell membrane is a key step. Blocking this step can prevent entry of HSV into the host cell and the subsequent interactions that ultimately lead to production of viral progeny and cell death or latency. In this review, we have discussed viral entry mechanisms including the pH-independent as well as pH-dependent endocytic entry, cell to cell spread of HSV and use of viral glycoproteins as an antiviral target.

scholarly journals Towards Understanding KSHV Fusion and Entry

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Dollery
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Amino Acid Level ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Host Cell Membrane ◽  
Viral Membrane ◽  
Viral Glycoproteins ◽  
Multiple Cell

How viruses enter cells is of critical importance to pathogenesis in the host and for treatment strategies. Over the last several years, the herpesvirus field has made numerous and thoroughly fascinating discoveries about the entry of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-herpesviruses, giving rise to knowledge of entry at the amino acid level and the realization that, in some cases, researchers had overlooked whole sets of molecules essential for entry into critical cell types. Herpesviruses come equipped with multiple envelope glycoproteins which have several roles in many aspects of infection. For herpesvirus entry, it is usual that a collective of glycoproteins is involved in attachment to the cell surface, specific interactions then take place between viral glycoproteins and host cell receptors, and then molecular interactions and triggers occur, ultimately leading to viral envelope fusion with the host cell membrane. The fact that there are multiple cell and virus molecules involved with the build-up to fusion enhances the diversity and specificity of target cell types, the cellular entry pathways the virus commandeers, and the final triggers of fusion. This review will examine discoveries relating to how Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) encounters and binds to critical cell types, how cells internalize the virus, and how the fusion may occur between the viral membrane and the host cell membrane. Particular focus is given to viral glycoproteins and what is known about their mechanisms of action.

scholarly journals Intracellular host cell membrane remodelling induced by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in vitro

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucio Ayres Caldas ◽  
Fabiana Avila Carneiro ◽  
Fabio Luis Monteiro ◽  
Ingrid Augusto ◽  
Luiza Mendonça Higa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Host Cell Membrane

scholarly journals The Photorhabdus asymbiotica virulence cassettes deliver protein effectors directly into target eukaryotic cells

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabella Vlisidou ◽  
Alexia Hapeshi ◽  
Joseph RJ Healey ◽  
Katie Smart ◽  
Guowei Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Eukaryotic Cells ◽  
Host Cell Membrane ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Insect Pathogen ◽  
Protein Toxins ◽  
Delivery Mechanism

Photorhabdus is a highly effective insect pathogen and symbiont of insecticidal nematodes. To exert its potent insecticidal effects, it elaborates a myriad of toxins and small molecule effectors. Among these, the Photorhabdus Virulence Cassettes (PVCs) represent an elegant self-contained delivery mechanism for diverse protein toxins. Importantly, these self-contained nanosyringes overcome host cell membrane barriers, and act independently, at a distance from the bacteria itself. In this study, we demonstrate that Pnf, a PVC needle complex associated toxin, is a Rho-GTPase, which acts via deamidation and transglutamination to disrupt the cytoskeleton. TEM and Western blots have shown a physical association between Pnf and its cognate PVC delivery mechanism. We demonstrate that for Pnf to exert its effect, translocation across the cell membrane is absolutely essential.

scholarly journals Membrane and luminal proteins reach the apicoplast by different trafficking pathways in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Chaudhari ◽  
Vishakha Dey ◽  
Aishwarya Narayan ◽  
Shobhona Sharma ◽  
Swati Patankar
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Protein Targeting ◽  
Acyl Carrier Protein ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Host Cell Membrane

The secretory pathway in Plasmodium falciparum has evolved to transport proteins to the host cell membrane and to an endosymbiotic organelle, the apicoplast. The latter can occur via the ER or the ER-Golgi route. Here, we study these three routes using proteins Erythrocyte Membrane Protein-1 (PfEMP1), Acyl Carrier Protein (ACP) and glutathione peroxidase-like thioredoxin peroxidase (PfTPxGl) and inhibitors of vesicular transport. As expected, the G protein dependent vesicular fusion inhibitor AlF4- and microtubule destabilizing drug vinblastine block the trafficking of PfEMP-1, a protein secreted to the host cell membrane. However, while both PfTPxGl and ACP are targeted to the apicoplast, only ACP trafficking remains unaffected by these treatments. This implies that G-protein dependent vesicles do not play a role in classical apicoplast protein targeting. Unlike the soluble protein ACP, we show that PfTPxGl is localized to the outermost membrane of the apicoplast. Thus, the parasite apicoplast acquires proteins via two different pathways: first, the vesicular trafficking pathway appears to handle not only secretory proteins, but an apicoplast membrane protein, PfTPxGl. Second, trafficking of apicoplast luminal proteins appear to be independent of G-protein coupled vesicles.

scholarly journals Membrane and luminal proteins reach the apicoplast by different trafficking pathways in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Chaudhari ◽  
Vishakha Dey ◽  
Aishwarya Narayan ◽  
Shobhona Sharma ◽  
Swati Patankar
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Protein Targeting ◽  
Acyl Carrier Protein ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Host Cell Membrane

The secretory pathway in Plasmodium falciparum has evolved to transport proteins to the host cell membrane and to an endosymbiotic organelle, the apicoplast. The latter can occur via the ER or the ER-Golgi route. Here, we study these three routes using proteins Erythrocyte Membrane Protein-1 (PfEMP1), Acyl Carrier Protein (ACP) and glutathione peroxidase-like thioredoxin peroxidase (PfTPxGl) and inhibitors of vesicular transport. As expected, the G protein dependent vesicular fusion inhibitor AlF4- and microtubule destabilizing drug vinblastine block the trafficking of PfEMP-1, a protein secreted to the host cell membrane. However, while both PfTPxGl and ACP are targeted to the apicoplast, only ACP trafficking remains unaffected by these treatments. This implies that G-protein dependent vesicles do not play a role in classical apicoplast protein targeting. Unlike the soluble protein ACP, we show that PfTPxGl is localized to the outermost membrane of the apicoplast. Thus, the parasite apicoplast acquires proteins via two different pathways: first, the vesicular trafficking pathway appears to handle not only secretory proteins, but an apicoplast membrane protein, PfTPxGl. Second, trafficking of apicoplast luminal proteins appear to be independent of G-protein coupled vesicles.

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