1. Viral E protein neutralizes BET protein-mediated post-entry antagonism of SARS-CoV-2.
- Author
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Chen IP, Longbotham JE, McMahon S, Suryawanshi RK, Khalid MM, Taha TY, Tabata T, Hayashi JM, Soveg FW, Carlson-Stevermer J, Gupta M, Zhang MY, Lam VL, Li Y, Yu Z, Titus EW, Diallo A, Oki J, Holden K, Krogan N, Fujimori DG, and Ott M
- Subjects
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2, Animals, Antiviral Agents pharmacology, Interferons, Mice, Nuclear Proteins, Transcription Factors, Viral Proteins, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2
- Abstract
Inhibitors of bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins are possible anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) prophylactics as they downregulate angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Here we show that BET proteins should not be inactivated therapeutically because they are critical antiviral factors at the post-entry level. Depletion of BRD3 or BRD4 in cells overexpressing ACE2 exacerbates SARS-CoV-2 infection; the same is observed when cells with endogenous ACE2 expression are treated with BET inhibitors during infection and not before. Viral replication and mortality are also enhanced in BET inhibitor-treated mice overexpressing ACE2. BET inactivation suppresses interferon production induced by SARS-CoV-2, a process phenocopied by the envelope (E) protein previously identified as a possible "histone mimetic." E protein, in an acetylated form, directly binds the second bromodomain of BRD4. Our data support a model where SARS-CoV-2 E protein evolved to antagonize interferon responses via BET protein inhibition; this neutralization should not be further enhanced with BET inhibitor treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests J.C.-S., J.O., and K.H. are employees and shareholders of Synthego Corporation., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2022
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