SLC38A9 regulates SARS-CoV-2 viral entry

Summary: SARS-CoV-2 viral entry into host cells depends on the cleavage of spike (S) protein into S1 and S2 proteins. Such proteolytic cleavage by furin results in the exposure of a multibasic motif on S1, which is critical for SARS-CoV-2 viral infection and transmission; however, how such a multibasic motif contributes to the infection of SARS-CoV-2 remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that the multibasic motif on S1 is critical for its interaction with SLC38A9, an endolysosome-resident arginine sensor. SLC38A9 knockdown prevents S1-induced endolysosome de-acidification and blocks the S protein-mediated entry of pseudo-SARS-CoV-2 in Calu-3, U87MG, Caco-2, and A549 cells. Our findings provide a novel mechanism in regulating SARS-CoV-2 viral entry; S1 present in endolysosome lumen could interact with SLC38A9, which mediates S1-induced endolysosome de-acidification and dysfunction, facilitating the escape of SARS-CoV-2 from endolysosomes and enhancing viral entry.