Role for -glycans and calnexin-calreticulin chaperones in SARS-CoV-2 Spike maturation and viral infectivity.

Functional and epidemiological data suggest that -linked glycans on the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein may contribute to viral infectivity. To investigate this, we created a panel of N-to-Q mutations at -glycosylation sites proximal to the Spike S1-S2 (N61, N603, N657, and N616) and S2' (N603 and N801) proteolysis sites. Some of these mutations, particularly N61Q and N801Q, reduced Spike incorporation into Spike-pseudotyped lentivirus and authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles (VLPs).

Cellular and Molecular Engineering of Glycan Sialylation in Heterologous Systems.

Glycans have been shown to play a key role in many biological processes, such as signal transduction, immunogenicity, and disease progression. Among the various glycosylation modifications found on cell surfaces and in biomolecules, sialylation is especially important, because sialic acids are typically found at the terminus of glycans and have unique negatively charged moieties associated with cellular and molecular interactions. Sialic acids are also crucial for glycosylated biopharmaceutics, where they promote stability and activity.

Development and cellular application of visible-light-controllable HNO releasers based on caged Piloty's acid.

Nitroxyl (HNO) is a gaseous molecule with unique pharmacological functions distinct from those of nitric oxide. Because HNO is highly reactive with biological molecules, spatiotemporally controllable HNO releasers are required. Herein, we report the first visible-light-controllable HNO releasers, based on caged Piloty's acid, and we demonstrate their applicability in living cells.