Conformational Reorganization of the SARS Coronavirus Spike Following Receptor Binding: Implications for Membrane Fusion (original) (raw)
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Viruses, 2021
The SARS-CoV-2 virus has now become one of the greatest causes of infectious death and morbidity since the 1918 flu pandemic. Substantial and unprecedented progress has been made in the elucidation of the viral infection process in a short time; however, our understanding of the structure-function dynamics of the spike protein during the membrane fusion process and viral uptake remains incomplete. Employing computational approaches, we use full-length structural models of the SARS-CoV- 2 spike protein integrating Cryo-EM images and biophysical properties, which fill the gaps in our understanding. We propose a membrane fusion model incorporating structural transitions associated with the proteolytic processing of the spike protein, which initiates and regulates a series of events to facilitate membrane fusion and viral genome uptake. The membrane fusion mechanism highlights the notable role of the S1 subunit and eventual mature spike protein uptake through the host membrane. Our comp...
Receptor binding may directly activate the fusion machinery in coronavirus spike glycoproteins
2021
SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, is an enveloped RNA virus. Trimeric spike glycoproteins extend outward from the virion; these class I viral membrane fusion proteins mediate entry of the virus into a host cell and are the dominant antigen for immune response. Cryo-EM studies have generated a large number of structures for the spike either alone, or bound to the cognate receptor ACE2 or antibodies, with the three receptor binding domains (RBDs) seen closed, open, or in various combinations. Binding to ACE2 requires an open RBD, and is believed to trigger the series of dramatic conformational changes in the spike that lead to the shedding of the S1 subunit and transition of the spring-loaded S2 subunit to the experimentally observed post-fusion structure. The steps following ACE2 binding are poorly understood despite extensive characterization of the spike through X-ray, cryo-EM, and computation. Here, we use all-atom simulations, guided by analysis of 81 exis...
Pre-fusion structure of a human coronavirus spike protein
HKU1 is a human betacoronavirus that causes mild yet prevalent respiratory disease 1 , and is related to the zoonotic SARS 2 and MERS 3 betacoronaviruses, which have high fatality rates and pandemic potential. Cell tropism and host range is determined in part by the coronavirus spike (S) protein 4 , which binds cellular receptors and mediates membrane fusion. As the largest known class I fusion protein, its size and extensive glycosylation have hindered structural studies of the full ectodomain, thus preventing a molecular understanding of its function and limiting development of effective interventions. Here we present the 4.0 Å resolution structure of the trimeric HKU1 S protein determined using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy. In the pre-fusion conformation, the receptor-binding subunits, S1, rest above the fusion-mediating subunits, S2, preventing their conformational rearrangement. Surprisingly, the S1 C-terminal domains are interdigitated and form extensive quaternary interactions that occlude surfaces known in other coronaviruses to bind protein receptors. These features, along with the location of the two protease sites known to be important for coronavirus entry, provide a structural basis to support a model of membrane fusion mediated by progressive S protein destabilization through receptor binding and proteolytic cleavage. These studies should also serve as a foundation for the structure-based design of betacoronavirus vaccine immunogens.
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted modern societies and their economies. The resurgence in COVID-19 cases as part of the second wave is observed across Europe and the Americas. The scientific response has enabled a complete structural characterization of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – novel Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Among the most relevant proteins required by the novel coronavirus to facilitate the cell entry mechanism is the spike protein trimer. This protein possesses a receptor-binding domain (RBD) that binds the cellular angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and then triggers the fusion of viral and host cell membranes. In this regard, a comprehensive characterization of the structural stability of the spike protein is a crucial step to find new therapeutics to interrupt the process of recognition. On the other hand, it has been suggested the participation of more than one RBD as a possible mechanism to enhance cell entry. Here we d...
The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2007
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) envelope spike (S) glycoprotein, a Class I viral fusion protein, is responsible for the fusion between the membranes of the virus and the target cell. In order to gain new insight into the protein membrane alteration leading to the viral fusion mechanism, a peptide pertaining to the putative pre-transmembrane domain (PTM) of the S glycoprotein has been studied by infrared and fluorescence spectroscopies regarding its structure, its ability to induce membrane leakage, aggregation, and fusion, as well as its affinity toward specific phospholipids. We demonstrate that the SARS-CoV PTM peptide binds to and interacts with phospholipid model membranes, and, at the same time, it adopts different conformations when bound to membranes of different compositions. As it has been already suggested for other viral fusion proteins such as HIV gp41, the region of the SARS-CoV protein where the PTM peptide resides could be involved in the merging of the viral and target cell membranes working synergistically with other membrane-active regions of the SARS-CoV S glycoprotein to heighten the fusion process and therefore might be essential for the assistance and enhancement of the viral and cell fusion process.
Nanometer-resolution in situ structure of the SARS-CoV-2 postfusion spike protein
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2021
Significance Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a severe threat to public health and the global economy. Its spike protein is responsible for the membrane fusion and is thus a major target for vaccine and drug development. Our study presents the in situ structure of the spike protein in the postfusion state with higher resolution, giving further insights into the design of a viral entry inhibitor. Our observation of the oligomerization states of spikes on the viral membrane implies a possible mechanism of membrane fusion for viral infection.
Sequential receptor binding primes the SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein for membrane fusion
2020
SARS-CoV-2 infection is initiated by virus binding to ACE2 cell surface receptors, followed by fusion of virus and cell membranes to release the virus genome into the cell. Both receptor binding and membrane fusion activities are mediated by the virus spike glycoprotein, S. As with other class I membrane fusion proteins, S is post-translationally cleaved, in this case by furin, into S1 and S2 components that remain associated following cleavage. Fusion activation following receptor binding is proposed to involve the exposure of a second proteolytic site (S2’), cleavage of which is required for the fusion peptide release. We have investigated the binding of ACE2 to the furin-cleaved form of SARS-CoV-2 S by cryoEM. We classify ten different molecular species including the unbound, closed spike trimer, the fully open ACE2-bound trimer, and dissociated monomeric S1 bound to ACE2. The ten structures describe sequential ACE2 binding events which destabilise the spike trimer, progressively...
Cryo-electron microscopy structure of a coronavirus spike glycoprotein trimer
Nature, 2016
The tremendous pandemic potential of coronaviruses was demonstrated twice in the past few decades by two global outbreaks of deadly pneumonia. Entry of coronaviruses into cells is mediated by the transmembrane spike glycoprotein S, which forms a trimer carrying receptor-binding and membrane fusion functions 1. S also contains the principal antigenic determinants and is the target of neutralizing antibodies. Here we present the structure of a mouse coronavirus S trimer ectodomain determined at 4.0 Å resolution by single particle cryo-electron microscopy. It reveals the metastable pre-fusion architecture of S and highlights key interactions stabilizing it. The structure shares a common core with paramyxovirus F proteins 2,3 , implicating mechanistic similarities and an evolutionary connection between these viral fusion proteins. The accessibility of the highly conserved fusion peptide at the periphery of the trimer indicates potential vaccinology strategies to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies against coronaviruses. Finally, comparison with crystal structures of human coronavirus S domains allows rationalization of the molecular basis for species specificity based on the use of spatially contiguous but distinct domains. Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses responsible for 30% of mild respiratory infections and atypical pneumonia in humans worldwide 4. The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in 2002 and of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012 demonstrated that these zoonotic viruses can transmit to humans from various animal species, and suggested that additional emergence events are likely to occur. The fatality rate of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV infections are about 10-37% 1,4 and there are no approved antiviral treatments or vaccines. Coronaviruses use S homotrimers to promote cell attachment and fusion of the viral and host membranes. S determines host range, cell tropism and is the main target of neutralizing antibodies during infection 1. S is a class I viral fusion protein synthesized as a single chain precursor of about 1,300 amino acids that trimerizes upon folding. It is composed of an amino-terminal S 1 subunit, containing the receptor-binding domain, and a carboxy-terminal S 2 subunit, driving membrane fusion. Cleavage by furin-like host proteases at the junction between S 1 and S 2 (S 2 cleavage site) occurs during biogenesis for some coronaviruses such as mouse hepatitis virus (MHV, the prototypical and best-studied coronavirus) 1,5. The S 1 and S 2 subunits remain non-covalently associated in the metastable pre-fusion S trimer. After virion uptake by target cells, a second cleavage is mediated by endo-lysosomal proteases (S 2 ′ cleavage site), allowing fusion activation of coronavirus S proteins 6. Crystal structures of coronavirus S post-fusion cores demonstrated that the fusogenic conformational changes lead to the formation of a so-called trimer of hairpins that is the hallmark of class I fusion proteins 7-10. These structures contain two heptad-repeat (HR) regions
Biophysical Reviews
Attachment to and fusion with cell membranes are two major steps in the replication cycle of many human viruses. We focus on these steps for three enveloped viruses, i.e., HIV-1, IAVs, and SARS-CoV-2. Viral spike proteins drive the membrane attachment and fusion of these viruses. Dynamic interactions between the spike proteins and membrane receptors trigger their specific attachment to the plasma membrane of host cells. A single virion on cell membranes can engage in binding with multiple receptors of the same or different types. Such dynamic and multivalent binding of these viruses result in an optimal attachment strength which in turn leads to their cellular entry and membrane fusion. The latter process is driven by conformational changes of the spike proteins which are also class I fusion proteins, providing the energetics of membrane tethering, bending, and fusion. These viruses exploit cellular and membrane factors in regulating the conformation changes and membrane processes. Herein, we describe the major structural and functional features of spike proteins of the enveloped viruses including highlights on their structural dynamics. The review delves into some of the case studies in the literature discussing the findings on multivalent binding, membrane hemifusion, and fusion of these viruses. The focus is on applications of biophysical tools with an emphasis on single-particle methods for evaluating mechanisms of these processes at the molecular and cellular levels.
Cryo-EM structure of porcine delta coronavirus spike protein in the pre-fusion state
Journal of virology, 2017
Coronavirus spike proteins from different genera are divergent, although they all mediate coronavirus entry into cells by binding to host receptors and fusing viral and cell membranes. Here we determined the cryo-EM structure of porcine delta coronavirus (PdCoV) spike protein at 3.3-angstrom resolution. The trimeric protein contains three receptor-binding S1 subunits that tightly pack into a crown-like structure and three membrane-fusion S2 subunits that form a stalk. Each S1 subunit contains two domains, N-terminal domain (S1-NTD) and C-terminal domain (S1-CTD). PdCoV S1-NTD has the same structural fold as alpha- and beta-coronavirus S1-NTDs as well as host galectins, and it recognizes sugar as its potential receptor. PdCoV S1-CTD has the same structural fold as alpha-coronavirus S1-CTDs, but its structure differs from that of beta-coronavirus S1-CTDs. PdCoV S1-CTD binds to an unidentified receptor on host cell surfaces. PdCoV S2 is locked in the pre-fusion conformation by structur...