Biology subjects

Gellman, S. H.

Publications and source records attributed to Gellman, S. H..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Characterization of Hydrophobic Interactions of SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV Spike Protein Fusion Peptides Using Single Molecule Force Measurements

We address the challenge of understanding how hydrophobic interactions are encoded by fusion peptide sequences within coronavirus (CoV) spike proteins. Within the fusion peptides of SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV, a largely conserved peptide sequence called FP1 (SFIEDLLFNK and SAIEDLLFDK in SARS-2 and MERS, respectively) has been proposed to play a key role in encoding hydrophobic interactions that drive viral-host cell membrane fusion. While a non-polar triad (LLF) is common to both FP1 sequences, and thought to dominate the encoding of hydrophobic interactions, FP1 from SARS and MERS differ in two residues (Phe 2 versus Ala 2 and Asn 9 versus Asp 9, respectively). Here we explore if single molecule force measurements can quantify hydrophobic interactions encoded by FP1 sequences, and then ask if sequence variations between FP1 from SARS and MERS lead to significant differences in hydrophobic interactions. We find that both SARS-2 and MERS wild-type FP1 generate measurable hydrophobic interactions at the single molecule level, but that SARS-2 FP1 encodes a substantially stronger hydrophobic interaction than its MERS counterpart (1.91 {+/-} 0.03 nN versus 0.68 {+/-} 0.03 nN, respectively). By performing force measurements with FP1 sequences with single amino acid substitutions, we determine that a single residue mutation (Phe 2 versus Ala 2) causes the almost threefold difference in the hydrophobic interaction strength generated by the FP1 of SARS-2 versus MERS, despite the presence of LLF in both sequences. Infrared spectroscopy and circular dichroism measurements support the proposal that the outsized influence of Phe 2 versus Ala 2 on the hydrophobic interaction arises from variation in the secondary structure adopted by FP1. Overall, these insights reveal how single residue diversity in viral fusion peptides, including FP1 of SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV, can lead to substantial changes in intermolecular interactions proposed to play a key role in viral fusion, and hint at strategies for regulating hydrophobic interactions of peptides in a range of contexts. SIGNIFICANCEFusion of coronaviruses (CoVs) and host cells is mediated by the insertion of the fusion peptide (FP) of the viral spike protein into the host cell membrane. Hydrophobic interactions between FPs with their host cell membranes regulate the viral membrane fusion process and are key to determining infection ability. However, it is not fully understood how the amino acid sequences in FPs mediate hydrophobic interactions. We use single-molecule force measurements to characterize hydrophobic interactions of FPs from SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV. Our findings provide insight into the mechanisms by which the amino acid composition of FPs encodes hydrophobic interactions and their implications for fusion activity critical to the spread of infection.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2021

Structural and Functional Diversity among Agonist-Bound States of the GLP-1 Receptor

Recent advances in G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) structural elucidation have strengthened previous hypotheses that multi-dimensional signal propagation mediated by these receptors is, in part, dependent on their conformational mobility. However, the relationship between receptor function and static structures determined via crystallography or cryo-electron microscopy is not always clear. This study examines the contribution of peptide agonist conformational plasticity to activation of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), an important clinical target. We employ variants of the peptides GLP-1 and exendin-4 to explore the interplay between helical propensity near the agonist N-terminus and the ability to bind to and activate the receptor. Cryo-EM analysis of a complex involving an exendin-4 analogue, the GLP-1R and Gs protein revealed two receptor conformers with distinct modes of peptide-receptor engagement. Our functional and structural data suggest that receptor conformational dynamics associated with flexibility of the peptide N-terminal activation domain may be a key determinant of agonist efficacy.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2021

Engineering protease-resistant peptides to inhibit human parainfluenza viral respiratory infection

The lower respiratory tract infections affecting children worldwide are in large part caused by the parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs), particularly HPIV3, along with human metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus, enveloped negative-strand RNA viruses. There are no vaccines for these important human pathogens, and existing treatments have limited or no efficacy. Infection by HPIV is initiated by viral glycoprotein-mediated fusion between viral and host cell membranes. A viral fusion protein (F), once activated in proximity to a target cell, undergoes a series of conformational changes that first extend the trimer subunits to allow insertion of the hydrophobic domains into the target cell membrane, and then refold the trimer into a stable postfusion state, driving the merger of the viral and host cell membranes. Lipopeptides derived from the C-terminal heptad repeat (HRC) domain of HPIV3 F inhibit infection by interfering with the structural transitions of the trimeric F assembly. Clinical application of this strategy, however, requires improving the in vivo stability of antiviral peptides. We show that the HRC peptide backbone can be modified via partial replacement of -amino acid residues with {beta}-amino acid residues to generate /{beta}-peptides that retain antiviral activity but are poor protease substrates. Relative to a conventional -lipopeptide, our best /{beta}-lipopeptide exhibits improved persistence in vivo and improved anti-HPIV3 antiviral activity in animals.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Intranasal fusion inhibitory lipopeptide prevents direct contact SARS-CoV-2 transmission in ferrets

Containment of the COVID-19 pandemic requires reducing viral transmission. SARS-CoV-2 infection is initiated by membrane fusion between the viral and host cell membranes, mediated by the viral spike protein. We have designed a dimeric lipopeptide fusion inhibitor that blocks this critical first step of infection for emerging coronaviruses and document that it completely prevents SARS-CoV-2 infection in ferrets. Daily intranasal administration to ferrets completely prevented SARS-CoV-2 direct-contact transmission during 24-hour co-housing with infected animals, under stringent conditions that resulted in infection of 100% of untreated animals. These lipopeptides are highly stable and non-toxic and thus readily translate into a safe and effective intranasal prophylactic approach to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2. One-sentence summaryA dimeric form of a SARS-CoV-2-derived lipopeptide is a potent inhibitor of fusion and infection in vitro and transmission in vivo.

microbiology↗