SARS-CoV-2 Infection Depends on Cellular Heparan Sulfate and ACE2
Thomas Mandel Clausen, Daniel R Sandoval, Charlotte B Spliid, Jessica Pihl, Hailee R Perrett, Chelsea D Painter, Anoop Narayanan, Sydney A Majowicz, Elizabeth M Kwong, Rachael N McVicar, Bryan E Thacker, Charles A Glass, Zhang Yang, Jonathan L Torres, Gregory J Golden, Phillip L Bartels, Ryan N Porell, Aaron F Garretson, Logan Laubach, Jared Feldman, Xin Yin, Yuan Pu, Blake M Hauser, Timothy M Caradonna, Benjamin P Kellman, Cameron Martino, Philip L S M Gordts, Sumit K Chanda, Aaron G Schmidt, Kamil Godula, Sandra L Leibel, Joyce Jose, Kevin D Corbett, Andrew B Ward, Aaron F Carlin, Jeffrey D Esko, Thomas Mandel Clausen, Daniel R Sandoval, Charlotte B Spliid, Jessica Pihl, Hailee R Perrett, Chelsea D Painter, Anoop Narayanan, Sydney A Majowicz, Elizabeth M Kwong, Rachael N McVicar, Bryan E Thacker, Charles A Glass, Zhang Yang, Jonathan L Torres, Gregory J Golden, Phillip L Bartels, Ryan N Porell, Aaron F Garretson, Logan Laubach, Jared Feldman, Xin Yin, Yuan Pu, Blake M Hauser, Timothy M Caradonna, Benjamin P Kellman, Cameron Martino, Philip L S M Gordts, Sumit K Chanda, Aaron G Schmidt, Kamil Godula, Sandra L Leibel, Joyce Jose, Kevin D Corbett, Andrew B Ward, Aaron F Carlin, Jeffrey D Esko
Abstract
We show that SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interacts with both cellular heparan sulfate and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) through its receptor-binding domain (RBD). Docking studies suggest a heparin/heparan sulfate-binding site adjacent to the ACE2-binding site. Both ACE2 and heparin can bind independently to spike protein in vitro, and a ternary complex can be generated using heparin as a scaffold. Electron micrographs of spike protein suggests that heparin enhances the open conformation of the RBD that binds ACE2. On cells, spike protein binding depends on both heparan sulfate and ACE2. Unfractionated heparin, non-anticoagulant heparin, heparin lyases, and lung heparan sulfate potently block spike protein binding and/or infection by pseudotyped virus and authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus. We suggest a model in which viral attachment and infection involves heparan sulfate-dependent enhancement of binding to ACE2. Manipulation of heparan sulfate or inhibition of viral adhesion by exogenous heparin presents new therapeutic opportunities.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; heparan sulfate; heparan sulfate-binding proteins; heparin; lung epithelial cells; pseudotyped virus; spike proteins.
Conflict of interest statement
Declaration of Interests J.D.E. is a co-founder of TEGA Therapeutics. J.D.E. and the Regents of the University of California have licensed a University invention to and have an equity interest in TEGA Therapeutics. The terms of this arrangement have been reviewed and approved by the University of California, San Diego in accordance with its conflict of interest policies. C.A.G. and B.E.T. are employees of TEGA Therapeutics.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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