Acta Crystallographica Section D Structural Biology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
79(2), P. 111 - 121
Published: Jan. 20, 2023
The
COVID-19
pandemic
and
concomitant
lockdowns
presented
a
global
health
challenge
triggered
unprecedented
research
efforts
to
elucidate
the
molecular
mechanisms
pathogenicity
of
SARS-CoV-2.
spike
glycoprotein
decorating
surface
SARS-CoV-2
virions
is
prime
target
for
vaccine
development,
antibody
therapy
serology
as
it
binds
host
cell
receptor
central
viral
entry.
electron
cryo-microscopy
structure
protein
revealed
hydrophobic
pocket
in
receptor-binding
domain
that
occupied
by
an
essential
fatty
acid,
linoleic
acid
(LA).
LA-bound
adopts
non-infectious
locked
conformation
which
more
stable
than
infectious
form
shields
important
immunogenic
epitopes.
Here,
impact
LA
binding
on
infectivity
replication,
evolutionary
conservation
other
highly
pathogenic
coronaviruses,
including
variants
concern
(VOCs),
are
reviewed.
importance
metabolic
products,
eicosanoids,
regulating
human
immune
response
inflammation
highlighted.
Lipid
fatty-acid
proteins
virion
appears
be
broader
strategy
employed
viruses,
picornaviruses
Zika
virus.
Ligand
stabilizes
their
assembly,
downregulates
infectivity.
In
case
rhinoviruses,
this
has
been
exploited
develop
small-molecule
antiviral
drugs
bind
pocket.
results
suggest
treatment
based
LA-binding
PLoS Pathogens,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
18(7), P. e1010583 - e1010583
Published: July 29, 2022
The
spike
(S)
protein
of
SARS-CoV-2
has
been
observed
in
three
distinct
pre-fusion
conformations:
locked,
closed
and
open.
Of
these,
the
function
locked
conformation
remains
poorly
understood.
Here
we
engineered
a
S
construct
"S-R/x3"
to
arrest
spikes
by
disulfide
bond.
Using
this
determined
high-resolution
structures
confirming
that
x3
bond
ability
stabilize
otherwise
transient
conformations.
Structural
analyses
reveal
wild-type
can
adopt
two
locked-1
locked-2
For
D614G
spike,
based
on
which
all
variants
concern
were
evolved,
only
was
observed.
Analysis
suggests
rigidified
domain
D
conformations
interacts
with
hinge
C
thereby
restrains
RBD
movement.
change
correlates
conformational
change.
We
propose
are
present
acidic
high-lipid
cellular
compartments
during
virus
assembly
egress.
In
model,
release
virion
into
neutral
pH
extracellular
space
would
favour
transition
or
open
dynamics
be
altered
mutations
modulate
structure,
as
is
case
for
mutation,
leading
changes
viral
fitness.
S-R/x3
provides
tool
further
structural
functional
characterization
S,
well
how
sequence
might
alter
regulation
receptor
binding
dynamics.
Cells,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
12(3), P. 445 - 445
Published: Jan. 30, 2023
The
oral
cavity
is
a
unique
environment
that
consists
of
teeth
surrounded
by
periodontal
tissues,
mucosae
with
minor
salivary
glands,
and
terminal
parts
major
glands
open
into
the
cavity.
constantly
exposed
to
viral
microbial
pathogens.
Recent
studies
indicate
components
plasminogen
(Plg)/plasmin
(Pm)
system
are
expressed
in
tissues
cavity,
such
as
gland,
contribute
infection
inflammation,
periodontitis.
Plg/Pm
fulfills
two
functions:
(a)
destruction
fibrin
deposits
bloodstream
or
damaged
process
called
fibrinolysis,
(b)
non-fibrinolytic
actions
include
proteolytic
modulation
proteins.
One
can
observe
both
functions
during
inflammation.
virus
causes
coronavirus
disease
2019
(COVID-19)
exploits
fibrinolytic
During
COVID-19,
well-established
coagulopathy
development
microthrombi
requires
constant
activation
function.
Furthermore,
entry
modulated
receptors
TMPRSS2,
which
necessary
leading
derailed
immune
response
peaks
cytokine
storm
syndrome.
This
paper
outlines
significance
for
infectious
inflammatory
diseases
start
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
14(1)
Published: Nov. 21, 2023
Abstract
Since
2019,
SARS-CoV-2
has
evolved
rapidly
and
gained
resistance
to
multiple
therapeutics
targeting
the
virus.
Development
of
host-directed
antivirals
offers
broad-spectrum
intervention
against
different
variants
concern.
Host
proteases,
TMPRSS2
CTSL/CTSB
cleave
spike
play
a
crucial
role
in
two
alternative
pathways
viral
entry
are
characterized
as
promising
pharmacological
targets.
Here,
we
identify
compounds
that
show
potent
inhibition
these
proteases
determine
their
complex
structures
with
respective
Furthermore,
applying
inhibitors
simultaneously
block
both
synergistic
antiviral
effect.
Notably,
devise
bispecific
compound,
212-148
,
exhibiting
dual-inhibition
ability
CTSL/CTSB,
demonstrate
activity
various
profiles.
Our
findings
offer
an
approach
for
discovery
antivirals,
well
application
treatment
pathogenic
infections
similar
pathways.
Frontiers in Public Health,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
10
Published: Jan. 4, 2023
Introduction
The
Delta
variant
posed
an
increased
risk
to
global
public
health
and
rapidly
replaced
the
pre-existent
variants
worldwide.
In
this
study,
genetic
diversity
spatio-temporal
dynamics
of
662
SARS-CoV2
genomes
obtained
during
wave
across
Tunisia
were
investigated.
Methods
Viral
whole
genome
partial
S-segment
sequencing
was
performed
using
Illumina
Sanger
platforms,
respectively
lineage
assignemnt
assessed
Pangolin
version
1.2.4
scorpio
3.4.X.
Phylogenetic
phylogeographic
analyses
achieved
IQ-Tree
Beast
programs.
Results
age
distribution
infected
cases
showed
a
large
peak
between
25
50
years.
Twelve
sub-lineages
detected
nation-wide
with
AY.122
being
predominant
representing
94.6%
sequences.
sequences
highly
related
shared
amino-acid
change
ORF1a:A498V,
synonymous
mutations
2746T>C,
3037C>T,
8986C>T,
11332A>G
in
ORF1a
23683C>T
S
gene
respect
Wuhan
reference
(NC_045512.2).
Spatio-temporal
analysis
indicates
that
larger
cities
Nabeul,
Tunis
Kairouan
constituted
epicenters
for
sub-lineage
subsequent
dispersion
rest
country.
Discussion
This
study
adds
more
knowledge
about
sub-variants
worldwide
by
documenting
genomic
epidemiological
data
from
Tunisia,
North
African
region.
Such
results
may
be
helpful
understanding
future
COVID-19
waves
variants.
Acta Crystallographica Section D Structural Biology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
79(2), P. 111 - 121
Published: Jan. 20, 2023
The
COVID-19
pandemic
and
concomitant
lockdowns
presented
a
global
health
challenge
triggered
unprecedented
research
efforts
to
elucidate
the
molecular
mechanisms
pathogenicity
of
SARS-CoV-2.
spike
glycoprotein
decorating
surface
SARS-CoV-2
virions
is
prime
target
for
vaccine
development,
antibody
therapy
serology
as
it
binds
host
cell
receptor
central
viral
entry.
electron
cryo-microscopy
structure
protein
revealed
hydrophobic
pocket
in
receptor-binding
domain
that
occupied
by
an
essential
fatty
acid,
linoleic
acid
(LA).
LA-bound
adopts
non-infectious
locked
conformation
which
more
stable
than
infectious
form
shields
important
immunogenic
epitopes.
Here,
impact
LA
binding
on
infectivity
replication,
evolutionary
conservation
other
highly
pathogenic
coronaviruses,
including
variants
concern
(VOCs),
are
reviewed.
importance
metabolic
products,
eicosanoids,
regulating
human
immune
response
inflammation
highlighted.
Lipid
fatty-acid
proteins
virion
appears
be
broader
strategy
employed
viruses,
picornaviruses
Zika
virus.
Ligand
stabilizes
their
assembly,
downregulates
infectivity.
In
case
rhinoviruses,
this
has
been
exploited
develop
small-molecule
antiviral
drugs
bind
pocket.
results
suggest
treatment
based
LA-binding