Abstract
AbstractThe spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 is delivered to the virion assembly site in the ER-Golgi Intermediate Compartment (ERGIC) from both the ER and cis-Golgi in infected cells. However, the relevance and modulatory mechanism of this bidirectional trafficking are unclear. Here, using structure-function analyses, we show that S incorporation into virus-like particles (VLP) and VLP fusogenicity are determined by coatomer-dependent S delivery from the cis-Golgi and restricted by S-coatomer dissociation. Although S mimicry of the host coatomer-binding dibasic motif ensures retrograde trafficking to the ERGIC, avoidance of the host-like C-terminal acidic residue is critical for S-coatomer dissociation and therefore incorporation into virions or export for cell-cell fusion. Because this C-terminal residue is the key determinant of SARS-CoV-2 assembly and fusogenicity, our work provides a framework for the export of S protein encoded in genetic vaccines for surface display and immune activation.
Funder
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Cancer Institute
University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) UOMSOM Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics Maryland Department of Health’s Cigarette Restitution Fund Program
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
General Physics and Astronomy,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,General Chemistry,Multidisciplinary