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Cryptococcal Protease(s) and the Activation of SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) Protein

In this contribution, we report on the possibility that cryptococcal protease(s) could activate the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. The S protein is documented to have a unique four-amino-acid sequence (underlined, SPRRAR↓S) at the interface between the S1 and S2 sites, that serves as a cleavage site...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Mjokane, Nozethu, Maliehe, Maphori, Folorunso, Olufemi S., Ogundeji, Adepemi O., Gcilitshana, Onele M. N., Albertyn, Jacobus, Pohl, Carolina H., Sebolai, Olihile M.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: MDPI 2022
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8834071/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35159253
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cells11030437
Descripción
Sumario:In this contribution, we report on the possibility that cryptococcal protease(s) could activate the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. The S protein is documented to have a unique four-amino-acid sequence (underlined, SPRRAR↓S) at the interface between the S1 and S2 sites, that serves as a cleavage site for the human protease, furin. We compared the biochemical efficiency of cryptococcal protease(s) and furin to mediate the proteolytic cleavage of the S1/S2 site in a fluorogenic peptide. We show that cryptococcal protease(s) processes this site in a manner comparable to the efficiency of furin (p > 0.581). We conclude the paper by discussing the impact of these findings in the context of a SARS-CoV-2 disease manifesting while there is an underlying cryptococcal infection.