Binding and molecular basis of the bat coronavirus RaTG13 virus to ACE2 in humans and other species.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been spreading worldwide, causing a global pandemic. Bat-origin RaTG13 is currently the most phylogenetically related virus. Here we obtained the complex structure of the RaTG13 receptor binding domain (RBD) with human ACE2 (hACE2) and evaluated binding of RaTG13 RBD to 24 additional ACE2 orthologs. By substituting residues in the RaTG13 RBD with their counterparts in the SARS-CoV-2 RBD, we found that residue 501, the major position found in variants of concern (VOCs) 501Y.V1/V2/V3, plays a key role in determining the potential host range of RaTG13. We also found that SARS-CoV-2 could induce strong cross-reactive antibodies to RaTG13 and identified a SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody (mAb), CB6, that could cross-neutralize RaTG13 pseudovirus. These results elucidate the receptor binding and host adaption mechanisms of RaTG13 and emphasize the importance of continuous surveillance of coronaviruses (CoVs) carried by animal reservoirs to prevent another spillover of CoVs.

Atlas of currently available human neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and escape by Omicron sub-variants BA.1/BA.1.1/BA.2/BA.3.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has presented significant challenges to current antibodies and vaccines. Herein, we systematically compared the efficacy of 50 human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), covering the seven identified epitope classes of the SARS-CoV-2 RBD, against Omicron sub-variants BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, and BA.3. Binding and pseudovirus-based neutralizing assays revealed that 37 of the 50 mAbs lost neutralizing activities, whereas the others displayed variably decreased activities against the four Omicron sub-variants. BA.2 was found to be more sensitive to RBD-5 antibodies than the other sub-variants. Furthermore, a quaternary complex structure of BA.1 RBD with three mAbs showing different neutralizing potencies against Omicron provided a basis for understanding the immune evasion of Omicron sub-variants and revealed the lack of G446S mutation accounting for the sensitivity of BA.2 to RBD-5 mAbs. Our results may guide the application of the available mAbs and facilitate the development of universal therapeutic antibodies and vaccines against COVID-19.

Maturation Pathway from Germline to Broad HIV-1 Neutralizer of a CD4-Mimic Antibody.

Antibodies with ontogenies from VH1-2 or VH1-46-germline genes dominate the broadly neutralizing response against the CD4-binding site (CD4bs) on HIV-1. Here, we define with longitudinal sampling from time-of-infection the development of a VH1-46-derived antibody lineage that matured to neutralize 90% of HIV-1 isolates. Structures of lineage antibodies CH235 (week 41 from time-of-infection, 18% breadth), CH235.9 (week 152, 77%), and CH235.12 (week 323, 90%) demonstrated the maturing epitope to focus on the conformationally invariant portion of the CD4bs. Similarities between CH235 lineage and five unrelated CD4bs lineages in epitope focusing, length-of-time to develop breadth, and extraordinary level of somatic hypermutation suggested commonalities in maturation among all CD4bs antibodies. Fortunately, the required CH235-lineage hypermutation appeared substantially guided by the intrinsic mutability of the VH1-46 gene, which closely resembled VH1-2. We integrated our CH235-lineage findings with a second broadly neutralizing lineage and HIV-1 co-evolution to suggest a vaccination strategy for inducing both lineages.

Structural Repertoire of HIV-1-Neutralizing Antibodies Targeting the CD4 Supersite in 14 Donors.

The site on the HIV-1 gp120 glycoprotein that binds the CD4 receptor is recognized by broadly reactive antibodies, several of which neutralize over 90% of HIV-1 strains. To understand how antibodies achieve such neutralization, we isolated CD4-binding-site (CD4bs) antibodies and analyzed 16 co-crystal structures -8 determined here- of CD4bs antibodies from 14 donors. The 16 antibodies segregated by recognition mode and developmental ontogeny into two types: CDR H3-dominated and VH-gene-restricted. Both could achieve greater than 80% neutralization breadth, and both could develop in the same donor. Although paratope chemistries differed, all 16 gp120-CD4bs antibody complexes showed geometric similarity, with antibody-neutralization breadth correlating with antibody-angle of approach relative to the most effective antibody of each type. The repertoire for effective recognition of the CD4 supersite thus comprises antibodies with distinct paratopes arrayed about two optimal geometric orientations, one achieved by CDR H3 ontogenies and the other achieved by VH-gene-restricted ontogenies.

Host range and structural analysis of bat-origin RshSTT182/200 coronavirus binding to human ACE2 and its animal orthologs.

Bat-origin RshSTT182 and RshSTT200 coronaviruses (CoV) from Rhinolophus shameli in Southeast Asia (Cambodia) share 92.6% whole-genome identity with SARS-CoV-2 and show identical receptor-binding domains (RBDs). In this study, we determined the structure of the RshSTT182/200 receptor binding domain (RBD) in complex with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) and identified the key residues that influence receptor binding. The binding of the RshSTT182/200 RBD to ACE2 orthologs from 39 animal species, including 18 bat species, was used to evaluate its host range. The RshSTT182/200 RBD broadly recognized 21 of 39 ACE2 orthologs, although its binding affinities for the orthologs were weaker than those of the RBD of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, RshSTT182 pseudovirus could utilize human, fox, and Rhinolophus affinis ACE2 receptors for cell entry. Moreover, we found that SARS-CoV-2 induces cross-neutralizing antibodies against RshSTT182 pseudovirus. Taken together, these findings indicate that RshSTT182/200 can potentially infect susceptible animals, but requires further evolution to obtain strong interspecies transmission abilities like SARS-CoV-2.

A Neutralizing Antibody Recognizing Primarily N-Linked Glycan Targets the Silent Face of the HIV Envelope.

Virtually the entire surface of the HIV-1-envelope trimer is recognized by neutralizing antibodies, except for a highly glycosylated region at the center of the "silent face" on the gp120 subunit. From an HIV-1-infected donor, #74, we identified antibody VRC-PG05, which neutralized 27% of HIV-1 strains. The crystal structure of the antigen-binding fragment of VRC-PG05 in complex with gp120 revealed an epitope comprised primarily of N-linked glycans from N262, N295, and N448 at the silent face center. Somatic hypermutation occurred preferentially at antibody residues that interacted with these glycans, suggesting somatic development of glycan recognition. Resistance to VRC-PG05 in donor #74 involved shifting of glycan-N448 to N446 or mutation of glycan-proximal residue E293. HIV-1 neutralization can thus be achieved at the silent face center by glycan-recognizing antibody; along with other known epitopes, the VRC-PG05 epitope completes coverage by neutralizing antibody of all major exposed regions of the prefusion closed trimer.

Molecular basis of cross-species ACE2 interactions with SARS-CoV-2-like viruses of pangolin origin.

Pangolins have been suggested as potential reservoir of zoonotic viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 causing the global COVID-19 outbreak. Here, we study the binding of two SARS-CoV-2-like viruses isolated from pangolins, GX/P2V/2017 and GD/1/2019, to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2), the receptor of SARS-CoV-2. We find that the spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) of pangolin CoVs binds to hACE2 as efficiently as the SARS-CoV-2 RBD in vitro. Furthermore, incorporation of pangolin CoV RBDs allows entry of pseudotyped VSV particles into hACE2-expressing cells. A screen for binding of pangolin CoV RBDs to ACE2 orthologs from various species suggests a broader host range than that of SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, cryo-EM structures of GX/P2V/2017 and GD/1/2019 RBDs in complex with hACE2 show their molecular binding in modes similar to SARS-CoV-2 RBD. Introducing the Q498H substitution found in pangolin CoVs into the SARS-CoV-2 RBD expands its binding capacity to ACE2 homologs of mouse, rat, and European hedgehog. These findings suggest that these two pangolin CoVs may infect humans, highlighting the necessity of further surveillance of pangolin CoVs.

Identification of a CD4-Binding-Site Antibody to HIV that Evolved Near-Pan Neutralization Breadth.

Detailed studies of the broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) that underlie the best available examples of the humoral immune response to HIV are providing important information for the development of therapies and prophylaxis for HIV-1 infection. Here, we report a CD4-binding site (CD4bs) antibody, named N6, that potently neutralized 98% of HIV-1 isolates, including 16 of 20 that were resistant to other members of its class. N6 evolved a mode of recognition such that its binding was not impacted by the loss of individual contacts across the immunoglobulin heavy chain. In addition, structural analysis revealed that the orientation of N6 permitted it to avoid steric clashes with glycans, which is a common mechanism of resistance. Thus, an HIV-1-specific bNAb can achieve potent, near-pan neutralization of HIV-1, making it an attractive candidate for use in therapy and prophylaxis.

Molecular Basis of Mink ACE2 Binding to SARS-CoV-2 and Its Mink-Derived Variants.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted between humans and minks, and some mutations in the spike (S) protein, especially in the receptor-binding domain (RBD), have been identified in mink-derived viruses. Here, we examined binding of the mink angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor to mink-derived and important human-originating variants, and we demonstrated that most of the RBD variants increased the binding affinities to mink ACE2 (mkACE2). Cryo-electron microscopy structures of the mkACE2-RBD Y453F (with a Y-to-F change at position 453) and mkACE2-RBD F486L complexes helped identify the key residues that facilitate changes in mkACE2 binding affinity. Additionally, the data indicated that the Y453F and F486L mutations reduced the binding affinities to some human monoclonal antibodies, and human vaccinated sera efficiently prevented infection of human cells by pseudoviruses expressing Y453F, F486L, or N501T RBD. Our findings provide an important molecular mechanism for the rapid adaptation of SARS-CoV-2 in minks and highlight the potential influence of the main mink-originating variants for humans. IMPORTANCE Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a broad range of hosts. Mink-derived SARS-CoV-2 can transmit back to humans. There is an urgent need to understand the binding mechanism of mink-derived SARS-CoV-2 variants to mink receptor. In this study, we identified all mutations in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike (S) protein from mink-derived SARS-CoV-2, and we demonstrated the enhanced binding affinity of mink angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to most of the mink-derived RBD variants as well as important human-originating RBD variants. Cryo-electron microscopy structures revealed that the Y453F and F486L mutations enhanced the binding forces in the interaction interface. In addition, Y453F and F486L mutations reduced the binding affinities to some human monoclonal antibodies, and the SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses with Y453F, F486L, or N501T mutations were neutralized by human vaccinated sera. Therefore, our results provide valuable information for understanding the cross-species transmission mechanism of SARS-CoV-2.

Real-Time Fire Smoke Detection Method Combining a Self-Attention Mechanism and Radial Multi-Scale Feature Connection.

Fire remains a pressing issue that requires urgent attention. Due to its uncontrollable and unpredictable nature, it can easily trigger chain reactions and increase the difficulty of extinguishing, posing a significant threat to people's lives and property. The effectiveness of traditional photoelectric- or ionization-based detectors is inhibited when detecting fire smoke due to the variable shape, characteristics, and scale of the detected objects and the small size of the fire source in the early stages. Additionally, the uneven distribution of fire and smoke and the complexity and variety of the surroundings in which they occur contribute to inconspicuous pixel-level-based feature information, making identification difficult. We propose a real-time fire smoke detection algorithm based on multi-scale feature information and an attention mechanism. Firstly, the feature information layers extracted from the network are fused into a radial connection to enhance the semantic and location information of the features. Secondly, to address the challenge of recognizing harsh fire sources, we designed a permutation self-attention mechanism to concentrate on features in channel and spatial directions to gather contextual information as accurately as possible. Thirdly, we constructed a new feature extraction module to increase the detection efficiency of the network while retaining feature information. Finally, we propose a cross-grid sample matching approach and a weighted decay loss function to handle the issue of imbalanced samples. Our model achieves the best detection results compared to standard detection methods using a handcrafted fire smoke detection dataset, with APval reaching 62.5%, APSval reaching 58.5%, and FPS reaching 113.6.

Multidonor analysis reveals structural elements, genetic determinants, and maturation pathway for HIV-1 neutralization by VRC01-class antibodies.

Antibodies of the VRC01 class neutralize HIV-1, arise in diverse HIV-1-infected donors, and are potential templates for an effective HIV-1 vaccine. However, the stochastic processes that generate repertoires in each individual of >10(12) antibodies make elicitation of specific antibodies uncertain. Here we determine the ontogeny of the VRC01 class by crystallography and next-generation sequencing. Despite antibody-sequence differences exceeding 50%, antibody-gp120 cocrystal structures reveal VRC01-class recognition to be remarkably similar. B cell transcripts indicate that VRC01-class antibodies require few specific genetic elements, suggesting that naive-B cells with VRC01-class features are generated regularly by recombination. Virtually all of these fail to mature, however, with only a few-likely one-ancestor B cell expanding to form a VRC01-class lineage in each donor. Developmental similarities in multiple donors thus reveal the generation of VRC01-class antibodies to be reproducible in principle, thereby providing a framework for attempts to elicit similar antibodies in the general population.

Facile Synthesis of Sponge-Like Porous Nano Carbon-Coated Silicon Anode with Tunable Pore Structure for High-Stability Lithium-Ion Batteries.

To address the challenge of the huge volume expansion of silicon anode, carbon-coated silicon has been developed as an effective design strategy due to the improved conductivity and stable electrochemical interface. However, although carbon-coated silicon anodes exhibit improved cycling stability, the complex synthesis methods and uncontrollable structure adjustment still make the carbon-coated silicon anodes hard to popularize in practical application. Herein, we propose a facile method to fabricate sponge-like porous nano carbon-coated silicon (sCCSi) with a tunable pore structure. Through the strategy of adding water into precursor solution combined with a slow heating rate of pre-oxidation, a sponge-like porous structure can be formed. Furthermore, the porous structure can be controlled through stirring temperature and oscillation methods. Owing to the inherent material properties and the sponge-like porous structure, sCCSi shows high conductivity, high specific surface area, and stable chemical bonding. As a result, the sCCSi with normal and excessive silicon-to-carbon ratios all exhibit excellent cycling stability, with 70.6% and 70.2% capacity retentions after 300 cycles at 500 mA g-1, respectively. Furthermore, the enhanced buffering effect on pressure between silicon nanoparticles and carbon material due to the sponge-like porous structure in sCCSi is further revealed through mechanical simulation. Considering the facile synthesis method, flexible regulation of porous structure, and high cycling stability, the design of the sCCSi paves a way for the synthesis of high-stability carbon-coated silicon anodes.

Cu(OAc)2-Promoted Oxidative Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling Reaction of α-Acylmethyl Malonates with Indole Derivatives to Access 3-Functionalized Indoles and Polycyclic Indoles.

A Cu(OAc)2-promoted oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling reaction of α-acylmethyl malonates with indole derivatives was developed. In the case of indoles, the regioselective coupling products were formed through a sequential dehydrogenation-addition-dehydrogenation process. When a second nucleophilic center was located in the 2-position of indoles, further successive nucleophilic cyclization occurred to give polycyclic indole derivatives. The Cu(OAc)2 was proved to act as not only an oxidant but also a catalyst.

Intracellular Zinc Quantification by Fluorescence Imaging with a FRET System.

Fluorescence imaging of cellular metals is widely reported. However, the quantification of intracellular metals with fluorescence imaging is so far not feasible and highly challenging. In this work, a ratiometric probe with two fluorescently labeled complementary DNA strains is designed for intracellular zinc quantification via fluorescence imaging, based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from carbon dots (CDs) to fluorescein (FAM). The donor CDs are modified with a Zn2+ aptamer, whereas the receptor FAM is conjugated with the complementary DNA sequence to ensure selectivity. MCF-7 cells are cultured sequentially with Zn2+ (20, 40, 55, 70, 85, and 100 µmol L-1) and CDs-FAM (100 µg mL-1), which is used for fluorescence imaging (at λex = 405 nm and λem = 440-490 nm for CDs, λem = 500-550 nm for FAM) to provide a relative fluorescence ratio (( F - F0)/ F0, F = ICDs/ IFAM), followed by quantifying intracellular zinc with ICPMS. A linear correlation is achieved between the relative fluorescence ratio in fluorescence images and the intracellular zinc content derived by ICPMS, which facilitates intracellular zinc quantification via fluorescence imaging. It is especially useful for real-time tracing of intracellular zinc during the cell culturing process or in vivo. The cellular uptake of Zn2+ by MCF-7 cells is further evaluated with this approach by culturing with 100 µmol L-1 of Zn2+ for different times, and a maximum uptake of 60.5 fg per cell is observed at an incubation time of 60 min. This value is further demonstrated well by ICPMS detection.

Co-evolution of a broadly neutralizing HIV-1 antibody and founder virus.

Current human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) vaccines elicit strain-specific neutralizing antibodies. However, cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies arise in approximately 20% of HIV-1-infected individuals, and details of their generation could provide a blueprint for effective vaccination. Here we report the isolation, evolution and structure of a broadly neutralizing antibody from an African donor followed from the time of infection. The mature antibody, CH103, neutralized approximately 55% of HIV-1 isolates, and its co-crystal structure with the HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 revealed a new loop-based mechanism of CD4-binding-site recognition. Virus and antibody gene sequencing revealed concomitant virus evolution and antibody maturation. Notably, the unmutated common ancestor of the CH103 lineage avidly bound the transmitted/founder HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein, and evolution of antibody neutralization breadth was preceded by extensive viral diversification in and near the CH103 epitope. These data determine the viral and antibody evolution leading to induction of a lineage of HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies, and provide insights into strategies to elicit similar antibodies by vaccination.

Solution approach of a laser plane based on Plücker matrices of the projective lines on a flexible 2D target.

A calibration method adopting Plücker matrices is proposed to explore the laser plane in a structured light measurement. The calibration model establishes the geometrical relationship among the camera, 2D target, and laser plane. The laser plane is constructed by multiple Plücker matrices of the dual 3D crossing lines between the laser plane and target planes in the camera coordinate system. Moreover, the validity of this calibration method is experimentally analyzed through the impact factors of noise magnitude and number of images. The mean errors of three directional angles of the normal vector to the laser plane are -0.174°, 0.170°, and -0.022°, respectively. The variances of the errors of three directional angles are 0.069°, 0.046°, and 0.160°, respectively. The maximal absolute errors of three directional angles are 1.362°, 1.351°, and 1.347°, respectively. The experiments prove that the calibration method is available to provide an accurate calibration for the laser plane.

Outer domain of HIV-1 gp120: antigenic optimization, structural malleability, and crystal structure with antibody VRC-PG04.

The outer domain of the HIV-1 gp120 envelope glycoprotein contains the epitope for broadly neutralizing antibodies directed to the CD4-binding site, many of which are able to neutralize over 90% of circulating HIV-1 isolates. While the outer domain is conformationally more stable than other portions of the HIV-1 envelope, efforts to express the outer domain as an immunogen for eliciting broadly neutralizing antibodies have not been successful, potentially because natural outer domain variants do not bind strongly to antibodies such as VRC01. In this study, we optimized the antigenic properties of the HIV-1 Env outer domain to generate OD4.2.2, from the KER2018 strain of clade A HIV-1, enabling it to bind antibodies such as VRC01 with nanomolar affinity. The crystal structure of OD4.2.2 in complex with VRC-PG04 was solved at 3.0-Å resolution and compared to known crystal structures including (i) the structure of core gp120 bound by VRC-PG04 and (ii) a circularly permutated version of the outer domain in complex with antibody PGT128. Much of the VRC-PG04 epitope was preserved in the OD4.2.2 structure, though with altered N and C termini conformations. Overall, roughly one-third of the outer domain structure appeared to be fixed in conformation, independent of alterations in termini, clade, or ligand, while other portions of the outer domain displayed substantial structural malleability. The crystal structure of OD4.2.2 with VRC-PG04 provides atomic-level details for an HIV-1 domain recognized by broadly neutralizing antibodies and insights relevant to the rational design of an immunogen that could elicit such antibodies by vaccination.

Protocol for isolating small cytosolic dsDNA from cultured murine cells.

We recently identified a class of small cytosolic double-stranded DNA (scDNA) approximately 20-40 bp in size in human and mouse cells. Here, we present a protocol for scDNA isolation from cultured murine cells. We describe steps for cytosolic compartment separation, DNA isolation in the cytosolic fraction using phenol-chloroform extraction, and ethanol precipitation. We then detail procedures for denaturing purified cytosolic DNA through urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and obtaining scDNA in the cytosolic DNA fraction via gel purification. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Liu et al.1.