Autophagy and evasion of the immune system by SARS-CoV-2. Structural features of the non-structural protein 6 from wild type and Omicron viral strains interacting with a model lipid bilayer.
Chem Sci
; 13(20): 6098-6105, 2022 May 25.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1852533
ABSTRACT
The viral cycle of SARS-CoV-2 is based on a complex interplay with the cellular machinery, which is mediated by specific proteins eluding or hijacking the cellular defense mechanisms. Among the complex pathways induced by the viral infection, autophagy is particularly crucial and is strongly influenced by the action of the non-structural protein 6 (Nsp6) interacting with the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Importantly, differently from other non-structural proteins, Nsp6 is mutated in the recently emerged Omicron variant, suggesting a possible different role of autophagy. In this contribution we explore, for the first time, the structural properties of Nsp6 thanks to long-timescale molecular dynamics simulations and machine learning analysis, identifying the interaction patterns with the lipid membrane. We also show how the mutation brought by the Omicron variant may indeed modify some of the specific interactions, and more particularly help anchor the viral protein to the lipid bilayer interface.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Topics:
Variants
Language:
English
Journal:
Chem Sci
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS