Proline-Proline Dyad in the Fusion Peptide of the Murine β-Coronavirus Spike Protein's S2 Domain Modulates Its Neuroglial Tropism.

ABSTRACT: The β-Coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV-A59)-RSA59 has a patent stretch of fusion peptide (FP) containing two consecutive central prolines (PP) in the S2 domain of the Spike protein. Our previous studies compared the PP-containing fusogenic-demyelinating strain RSA59(PP) to its one proline-deleted mutant strain RSA59(P) and one proline-containing non-fusogenic non-demyelinating parental strain RSMHV2(P) to its one proline inserted mutant strain RSMHV2(PP). These studies highlighted the crucial role of PP in fusogenicity, hepato-neuropathogenesis, and demyelination. Computational studies combined with biophysical data indicate that PP at the center of the FP provides local rigidity while imparting global fluctuation to the Spike protein that enhances the fusogenic properties of RSA59(P

SUBMITTER: Safiriyu AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9865228 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature