ORF8
is
an
asymmetric-homodimer
SARS-COV-2
accessory
protein
implicated
in
excesive
human
inflammation
causing
numerous
deaths.
There
no
approved
drug
targeting
ORF8,
nor
it
known
whether
any
anti-ORF8
drugs
could
reduce
inflammation.
Computationally
combining
ligand
co-evolution
of
parent
molecules
with
affinity-consensus
docking,
children
candidates
for
docking
to
cavities
were
generated.
Targeting
the
homodimer
interface
highest
affinity
scaffolds,
hundreds
grandchildren
predicting
nanoMolar
affinities,
unique
high
specificities
and
low
toxicity
risks
Although
remaining
hypothetical
without
experimental
confirmation,
this
constitute
a
new
methodological
attempt
search
drug-like
interfere
SARS-COV-2-dependent
excessive
Journal of Biological Chemistry,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
298(3), P. 101724 - 101724
Published: Feb. 11, 2022
ORF8
is
an
accessory
protein
encoded
by
severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
coronavirus
2
(SARS-CoV-2).
Consensus
regarding
the
biological
functions
of
lacking,
largely
because
fundamental
characteristics
this
in
cells
have
not
been
determined.
To
clarify
these
features,
we
herein
established
expression
system
293T
cells.
Using
system,
approximately
41%
expressed
were
secreted
extracellularly
as
a
glycoprotein
homodimer
with
inter/intramolecular
disulfide
bonds.
Intracellular
was
sensitive
to
glycosidase
Endo
H,
whereas
portion
Endo-H-resistant,
suggesting
that
secretion
occurs
via
conventional
pathway.
Additionally,
immunoblotting
analysis
showed
total
amounts
major
histocompatibility
complex
class
Ι
(MHC-I),
angiotensin-converting
enzyme
(ACE2),
and
SARS-CoV-2
spike
(CoV-2
S)
proteins
coexpressed
changed
increased
expression,
although
FACS
revealed
cell
surface
MHC-I
protein,
but
ACE2
CoV-2
S
proteins,
reduced
expression.
Finally,
demonstrate
RNA-seq
had
no
significant
stimulatory
effects
human
primary
monocyte-derived
macrophages
(MDMs).
Taken
together,
our
results
provide
evidence
acts
homodimer,
its
are
likely
associated
intracellular
transport
and/or
extracellular
signaling
infection.
Viruses,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
15(4), P. 871 - 871
Published: March 29, 2023
The
COVID-19
pandemic
has
resulted
in
upwards
of
6.8
million
deaths
over
the
past
three
years,
and
frequent
emergence
variants
continues
to
strain
global
health.
Although
vaccines
have
greatly
helped
mitigate
disease
severity,
SARS-CoV-2
is
likely
remain
endemic,
making
it
critical
understand
its
viral
mechanisms
contributing
pathogenesis
discover
new
antiviral
therapeutics.
To
efficiently
infect,
this
virus
uses
a
diverse
set
strategies
evade
host
immunity,
accounting
for
high
pathogenicity
rapid
spread
throughout
pandemic.
Behind
some
these
evasion
accessory
protein
Open
Reading
Frame
8
(ORF8),
which
gained
recognition
due
hypervariability,
secretory
property,
unique
structure.
This
review
discusses
current
knowledge
on
ORF8
proposes
actualized
functional
models
describing
pivotal
roles
both
replication
immune
evasion.
A
better
understanding
ORF8’s
interactions
with
factors
expected
reveal
essential
pathogenic
utilized
by
inspire
development
novel
therapeutics
improve
outcomes.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(1)
Published: April 13, 2024
Knockout
of
the
ORF8
protein
has
repeatedly
spread
through
global
viral
population
during
SARS-CoV-2
evolution.
Here
we
use
both
regional
and
pathogen
sequencing
to
explore
selection
pressures
underlying
its
loss.
In
Washington
State,
identified
transmission
clusters
with
knockout
throughout
evolution,
not
just
on
novel,
high
fitness
backbones.
Indeed,
is
truncated
more
frequently
knockouts
circulate
for
longer
than
any
other
gene.
Using
a
phylogeny,
find
evidence
positive
explain
this
phenomenon:
nonsense
mutations
resulting
in
shortened
products
occur
are
associated
faster
clade
growth
rates
synonymous
ORF8.
Loss
also
reduced
clinical
severity,
highlighting
diverse
impacts
Viruses,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
16(1), P. 161 - 161
Published: Jan. 22, 2024
Severe
cases
of
SARS-CoV-2
infection
are
characterized
by
an
immune
response
that
leads
to
the
overproduction
pro-inflammatory
cytokines,
resulting
in
lung
damage,
cardiovascular
symptoms,
hematologic
acute
kidney
injury
and
multiple
organ
failure
can
lead
death.
This
remarkable
increase
cytokines
other
inflammatory
molecules
is
primarily
caused
viral
proteins,
particular
interest
has
been
given
ORF8,
a
unique
accessory
protein
specific
SARS-CoV-2.
Despite
plenty
research,
precise
mechanisms
which
ORF8
induces
proinflammatory
not
clear.
Our
investigations
demonstrated
augments
production
IL-6
induced
Poly(I:C)
human
embryonic
(HEK)-293
monocyte-derived
dendritic
cells
(mono-DCs).
We
discuss
our
findings
multifaceted
roles
as
modulator
cytokine
response,
focusing
on
type
I
interferon
IL-6,
key
component
In
addition,
we
explore
hypothesis
may
act
through
pattern
recognition
receptors
dsRNA
such
TLRs.
Virologica Sinica,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
38(6), P. 837 - 850
Published: Oct. 11, 2023
The
recent
emergence
of
severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
coronavirus
2
(SARS-CoV-2)
caused
serious
harm
to
human
health
and
struck
a
blow
global
economic
development.
Research
on
SARS-CoV-2
has
greatly
benefited
from
the
use
reverse
genetics
systems,
which
have
been
established
artificially
manipulate
viral
genome,
generating
recombinant
reporter
infectious
viruses
or
biosafety
level
(BSL-2)-adapted
non-infectious
replicons
with
desired
modifications.
These
tools
instrumental
in
studying
molecular
biological
characteristics
virus,
investigating
antiviral
therapeutics,
facilitating
development
attenuated
vaccine
candidates.
Here,
we
review
construction
strategies,
development,
applications
systems
for
SARS-CoV-2,
may
be
applied
other
CoVs
as
well.
ABSTRACT
Severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
coronavirus
2
(SARS-CoV-2)
encodes
six
accessory
proteins
(3a,
6,
7a,
7b,
8,
and
9b)
for
which
limited
information
is
available
on
their
role
in
pathogenesis.
We
showed
that
the
deletion
of
open
reading
frames
(ORFs)
or
7b
individually
did
not
significantly
impact
viral
pathogenicity
humanized
K18-hACE2
transgenic
mice.
In
contrast,
ORF8
partially
attenuated
SARS-CoV-2,
resulting
reduced
lung
pathology
40%
less
mortality,
indicating
a
critical
determinant
SARS-CoV-2
Attenuation
SARS-CoV-2-∆8
was
associated
with
significant
decrease
replication
either
lungs
mice
organoid-derived
human
airway
cells.
An
increase
interferon
signaling
at
early
times
post-infection
(1
dpi)
pro-inflammatory
response
late
post-infection,
both
(6
cells
[72
hours
(hpi)],
were
observed.
The
early,
but
prolonged,
along
lower
inflammatory
could
explain
partial
attenuation
SARS-CoV-∆8.
presence
an
number
macrophages
addition,
supernatant
SARS-CoV-2-WT
(wild-type)-infected
enhanced
activation
as
compared
to
SARS-CoV-2-∆8-infected
These
results
show
virulence
factor
involved
inflammation
be
targeted
COVID-19
therapies.
IMPORTANCE
relevance
severe
pathogenesis
unclear.
Virus
natural
isolates
deletions
wild
milder
disease,
suggesting
might
contribute
virulence.
This
manuscript
shows
two
experimental
systems:
identify
protein
potential
target
The Journal of Immunology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
211(2), P. 252 - 260
Published: June 2, 2023
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2
has
caused
an
estimated
7
million
deaths
worldwide
to
date.
A
secreted
accessory
protein,
known
as
open
reading
frame
8
(ORF8),
elicits
inflammatory
pulmonary
cytokine
responses
and
is
associated
with
disease
severity
in
COVID-19
patients.
Recent
reports
proposed
that
ORF8
mediates
downstream
signals
macrophages
monocytes
through
the
IL-17
receptor
complex
(IL-17RA,
IL-17RC).
However,
generally
are
found
be
restricted
nonhematopoietic
compartment,
thought
due
rate-limiting
expression
of
IL-17RC.
Accordingly,
we
revisited
capacity
induce
gene
mouse
human
monocytes.
In
SARS-CoV-2–infected
lungs,
IL17RC
mRNA
was
undetectable
monocyte/macrophage
populations.
cultured
macrophages,
but
not
led
elevated
target
cytokines.
ORF8-induced
signaling
fully
preserved
presence
anti–IL-17RA/RC
neutralizing
Abs
Il17ra−/−
cells.
also
operative
Il1r1−/−
bone
marrow–derived
macrophages.
TLR/IL-1R
family
adaptor
MyD88,
which
dispensable
for
IL-17R
signaling,
required
activity
yet
MyD88
signaling.
Thus,
conclude
transduces
via
independently
IL-17R.
Cells,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
14(9), P. 624 - 624
Published: April 22, 2025
Secreted
viral
proteins
are
crucial
in
virus–host
interactions,
as
they
modify
the
host
microenvironment
to
promote
infection.
These
secreted
could
alter
immune
and
inflammatory
responses,
allowing
viruses
evade
defense
mechanisms
such
cytotoxic
T
cell
activation
antibody
neutralization.
Some
mimic
molecules
suppress
antiviral
making
them
valuable
targets
for
antivirals
diagnostics.
Notable
examples
include
BARF1
from
Epstein–Barr
virus,
associated
with
gastric
cancer;
vIL-10
which
regulates
responses
contributes
autoimmune
diseases;
NS1
dengue
vascular
permeability
early
diagnosis;
NSP4
rotavirus
an
enterotoxin,
among
others.
The
study
of
these
improves
our
understanding
pathogenesis
helps
develop
innovative
treatments
infectious
non-infectious
diseases,
taking
advantage
evolutionary
adaptations
viruses.
This
review
explores
their
impact
on
infection
cycle,
disease
progression,
key
processes,
cycle
regulation,
apoptosis,
signaling.
Research
deepens
basic
knowledge
virology
generates
alternative
methods
detecting
biomarkers
creating
more
effective
therapies,
well
implementing
some
emerging
technologies,
biosensors
plasmon
resonance,
diagnosis
diseases.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
14(1)
Published: May 25, 2023
Abstract
Small
animal
models
have
been
a
challenge
for
the
study
of
SARS-CoV-2
transmission,
with
most
investigators
using
golden
hamsters
or
ferrets.
Mice
advantages
low
cost,
wide
availability,
less
regulatory
and
husbandry
challenges,
existence
versatile
reagent
genetic
toolbox.
However,
adult
mice
do
not
robustly
transmit
SARS-CoV-2.
Here
we
establish
model
based
on
neonatal
that
allows
transmission
clinical
isolates.
We
characterize
tropism,
respiratory
tract
replication
ancestral
WA-1
compared
to
variants
Alpha
(B.1.1.7),
Beta
(B.1.351),
Gamma
(P.1),
Delta
(B.1.617.2),
Omicron
BA.1
BQ.1.1.
identify
inter-variant
differences
in
timing
magnitude
infectious
particle
shedding
from
index
mice,
both
which
shape
contact
mice.
Furthermore,
two
recombinant
lacking
either
ORF6
ORF8
host
antagonists.
The
removal
shifts
viral
towards
lower
tract,
resulting
significantly
delayed
reduced
our
model.
Our
results
demonstrate
potential
mouse
determinants
while
revealing
role
an
accessory
protein
this
context.