Quantitative Characterization and Prediction of the Binding Determinants and Immune Escape Hotspots for Groups of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies Against Omicron Variants: Atomistic Modeling of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Complexes with Antibodies

Biomolecules, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(2), P. 249 - 249

Published: Feb. 8, 2025

A growing body of experimental and computational studies suggests that the cross-neutralization antibody activity against Omicron variants may be driven by balance tradeoff between multiple energetic factors interaction contributions evolving escape hotspots involved in antigenic drift convergent evolution. However, dynamic details quantifying contribution these factors, particularly balancing nature specific interactions formed antibodies with epitope residues, remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, we performed molecular dynamics simulations, an ensemble-based deep mutational scanning SARS-CoV-2 spike binding free energy computations for two distinct groups broadly neutralizing antibodies: E1 group (BD55-3152, BD55-3546, BD5-5840) F3 (BD55-3372, BD55-4637, BD55-5514). Using approaches, examined determinants which potent can evade immune resistance. Our analysis revealed emergence a small number positions correspond to R346 K444 strong van der Waals act synchronously, leading large contribution. According our results, Abs effectively exploit hotspot clusters hydrophobic sites are critical functions along selective complementary targeting positively charged important ACE2 binding. Together conserved epitopes, lead expand breadth resilience neutralization shifts associated viral The results study demonstrate excellent qualitative agreement predicted mutations respect latest experiments on average scores. We argue epitopes leverage stability binding, while tend emerge synergistically electrostatic interactions.

Language: Английский

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Mutational Scanning and Binding Free Energy Computations of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Complexes with Distinct Groups of Neutralizing Antibodies: Energetic Drivers of Convergent Evolution of Binding Affinity and Immune Escape Hotspots

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 26(4), P. 1507 - 1507

Published: Feb. 11, 2025

The rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has led to the emergence variants with increased immune evasion capabilities, posing significant challenges antibody-based therapeutics and vaccines. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive structural energetic analysis spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) complexes neutralizing antibodies from four distinct groups (A–D), including group A LY-CoV016, B AZD8895 REGN10933, C LY-CoV555, D AZD1061, REGN10987, LY-CoV1404. Using coarse-grained simplified simulation models, energy-based mutational scanning, rigorous MM-GBSA binding free energy calculations, elucidated molecular mechanisms antibody escape mechanisms, identified key hotspots, explored evolutionary strategies employed by virus evade neutralization. residue-based decomposition revealed thermodynamic factors underlying effect mutations on binding. results demonstrate excellent qualitative agreement between predicted hotspots latest experiments escape. These findings provide valuable insights into determinants viral escape, highlighting importance targeting conserved epitopes leveraging combination therapies mitigate risk evasion.

Language: Английский

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Biophysics of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein’s receptor-binding domain interaction with ACE2 and neutralizing antibodies: from computation to functional insights

Biophysical Reviews, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 8, 2025

Language: Английский

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Omicron Coronavirus: pH-Dependent Electrostatic Potential and Energy of Association of Spike Protein to ACE2 Receptor

Viruses, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(8), P. 1752 - 1752

Published: Aug. 17, 2023

The association of the S-protein SARS-CoV-2 beta coronavirus to ACE2 receptors human epithelial cells determines its contagiousness and pathogenicity. We computed pH-dependent electric potential on surface interacting globular proteins Gibbs free energy at wild-type strain omicron variant. calculated isoelectric points receptor (pI 5.4) in trimeric form 7.3, wild type), 7.8, variant), experimentally verified by focusing, show that pH 6-7, S1-ACE2 is conditioned electrostatic attraction oppositely charged viral protein. comparison local potentials variant shows point mutations alter a relatively small area receptor-binding domain (RBD) S1 subunit. appearance seven charge-changing RBD (equivalent three additional positive charges) leads stronger 5.5 (typical for respiratory tract) weaker one 7.4 (characteristic blood plasma); this reveals reason higher but lower pathogenicity strain.

Language: Английский

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Changes in total charge on spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 in emerging lineages

Bioinformatics Advances, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 4(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Motivation Charged amino acid residues on the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been shown to influence its binding different cell surface receptors, non-specific electrostatic interactions with environment, and structural stability conformation. It is therefore important obtain a good understanding mutations that affect total charge which arisen across SARS-CoV-2 lineages during course virus’ evolution. Results We analyse change in number ionizable acids corresponding proteins almost 2200 emerged over span pandemic. Our results show previously observed trend toward an increase positive variants concern has essentially stopped emergence early omicron variants. Furthermore, recently greater diversity terms their composition acids. also demonstrate patterns are characteristic related within broader clade division phylogenetic tree. Due ubiquity biological our findings relevant for broad range studies dealing environment. Availability implementation The data underlying article available Supplementary material.

Language: Английский

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Predicting Functional Conformational Ensembles and Binding Mechanisms of Convergent Evolution for SARS-CoV-2 Spike Omicron Variants Using AlphaFold2 Sequence Scanning Adaptations and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 3, 2024

Abstract In this study, we combined AlphaFold-based approaches for atomistic modeling of multiple protein states and microsecond molecular simulations to accurately characterize conformational ensembles binding mechanisms convergent evolution the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Omicron variants BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.75, BA.3, BA.4/BA.5 BQ.1.1. We employed validated several different adaptations AlphaFold methodology including introduced randomized full sequence scanning manipulation variations systematically explore dynamics complexes with ACE2 receptor. Microsecond dynamic provide a detailed characterization landscapes thermodynamic stability variant complexes. By integrating predictions from applying statistical confidence metrics can expand identify functional conformations that determine equilibrium ACE2. Conformational RBD-ACE2 obtained using are accurate comparative prediction energetics revealing an excellent agreement experimental data. particular, results demonstrated AlphaFold-generated extended produce energies The study suggested complementarities potential synergies between showing information both methods potentially yield more adequate This provides insights in interplay binding, through acquisition mutational sites may leverage adaptability couplings key energy hotspots optimize affinity enable immune evasion.

Language: Английский

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AlphaFold2 Predictions of Conformational Ensembles and Atomistic Simulations of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike XBB Lineages Reveal Epistatic Couplings between Convergent Mutational Hotspots that Control ACE2 Affinity

The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 128(19), P. 4696 - 4715

Published: May 2, 2024

In this study, we combined AlphaFold-based atomistic structural modeling, microsecond molecular simulations, mutational profiling, and network analysis to characterize binding mechanisms of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with host receptor ACE2 for a series Omicron XBB variants including XBB.1.5, XBB.1.5+L455F, XBB.1.5+F456L, XBB.1.5+L455F+F456L. dynamic modeling Spike lineages can accurately predict experimental structures conformational ensembles complexes ACE2. Microsecond dynamics simulations identified important differences in landscapes equilibrium variants, suggesting that combining AlphaFold predictions multiple conformations provide complementary approach characterization functional states mechanisms. Using ensemble-based profiling residues physics-based rigorous calculations affinities, energy hotspots characterized basis underlying epistatic couplings between convergent hotspots. Consistent experiments, results revealed mediating role Q493 hotspot synchronization L455F F456L mutations, providing quantitative insight into energetic determinants lineages. We also proposed network-based perturbation allosteric communications uncovered relationships centers long-range communication couplings. The study support mechanism which may be determined by effects evolutionary control binding.

Language: Английский

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Exploring Conformational Landscapes and Binding Mechanisms of Convergent Evolution for the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Omicron Variant Complexes with the ACE2 Receptor Using AlphaFold2-Based Structural Ensembles and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 26(25), P. 17720 - 17744

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

In this study, we combined AlphaFold-based approaches for atomistic modeling of multiple protein states and microsecond molecular simulations to accurately characterize conformational ensembles evolution binding mechanisms convergent the SARS-CoV-2 spike Omicron variants BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.75, BA.3, BA.4/BA.5 BQ.1.1. We employed validated several different adaptations AlphaFold methodology including introduced randomized full sequence scanning manipulation variations systematically explore dynamics complexes with ACE2 receptor. Microsecond (MD) provide a detailed characterization landscapes thermodynamic stability variant complexes. By integrating predictions from applying statistical confidence metrics can expand identify functional conformations that determine equilibrium ACE2. Conformational RBD-ACE2 obtained using MD are accurate comparative prediction energetics revealing an excellent agreement experimental data. particular, results demonstrated AlphaFold-generated extended produce energies The study suggested complementarities potential synergies between showing information both methods potentially yield more adequate This provides insights in interplay binding, through acquisition mutational sites may leverage adaptability dynamic couplings key energy hotspots optimize affinity enable immune evasion.

Language: Английский

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AlphaFold2-Enabled Atomistic Modeling of Structure, Conformational Ensembles, and Binding Energetics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.86 Spike Protein with ACE2 Host Receptor and Antibodies: Compensatory Functional Effects of Binding Hotspots in Modulating Mechanisms of Receptor Binding and Immune Escape

Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 64(5), P. 1657 - 1681

Published: Feb. 19, 2024

The latest wave of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants displayed a growth advantage and increased viral fitness through convergent evolution functional hotspots that work synchronously to balance requirements for productive receptor binding efficient immune evasion. In this study, we combined AlphaFold2-based structural modeling approaches with atomistic simulations mutational profiling energetics stability prediction comprehensive analysis the structure, dynamics, BA.2.86 spike variant ACE2 host distinct classes antibodies. We adapted several AlphaFold2 predict both structure conformational ensembles protein in complex receptor. results showed AlphaFold2-predicted ensemble can accurately capture main states variant. Complementary predictions, microsecond molecular dynamics reveal details landscape produced equilibrium structures are used perform scanning residues characterize energy hotspots. ensemble-based domain BA.2 complexes revealed group conserved hydrophobic critical variant-specific contributions R403K, F486P, R493Q. To examine evasion properties detail, performed structure-based interfaces antibodies significantly reduced neutralization against basis compensatory effects hotspots, showing lineage may have evolved outcompete other subvariants by improving while preserving affinity via effect R493Q F486P This study demonstrated an integrative approach combining predictions complementary robust enable accurate characterization mechanisms newly emerging variants.

Language: Английский

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Genetic and Phenotypic Investigations of Viral Subpopulations Detected in Different Tissues of Laying Hens Following Infectious Bronchitis Virus Infection

Viruses, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(4), P. 527 - 527

Published: April 4, 2025

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) commonly produces a range of genetic sequences during replication, particularly in the spike 1 (S1)-coding portion S gene, leading to distinct subpopulations within broader viral population. It has been shown that certain microenvironments exert selective pressure on S1-coding and their encoded proteins, influencing selection these environments. In this study, high-throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used analyze from tissues respiratory, digestive, renal, reproductive systems specific pathogen-free (SPF) laying hens. These were collected nine days after infection with California 1737/04 (CA1737/04) IBV strain, which is known cause varying degrees pathology tissues. Using bioinformatics pipeline, 27 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) detected derived different SNVs shaped multiple (SP1–SP15), SP1 being core subpopulation present all tissues, while others tissue-specific. The RNA loads negatively correlated number or Shannon entropy values, phylogenetic analysis revealed divergence lower loads, those trachea ovary. Furthermore, associated nonsynonymous mutations, primarily located hypervariable region 2 (HVR 2) N-terminal domain S1 (S1-NTD), except for SP7, exclusive contained changes HVR 3 C-terminal (S1-CTD). Overall, study adds existing knowledge about evolution by highlighting role tissue-specific environments shaping diversity.

Language: Английский

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