Divalent siRNAs are bioavailable in the lung and efficiently block SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants complicates efforts to combat the ongoing pandemic, underscoring the need for a dynamic platform for the rapid development of pan-viral variant therapeutics. Oligonucleotide therapeutics are enhancing the treatment of numerous diseases with unprecedented potency, duration of effect, and safety. Through the systematic screening of hundreds of oligonucleotide sequences, we identified fully chemically stabilized siRNAs and ASOs that target regions of the SARS-CoV-2 genome conserved in all variants of concern, including delta and omicron.

Discovery of Zika Virus Dependency and Restriction Factors Using Flow-Based Arrayed CRISPR Screening for Identification of Targets (FACS-IT).

The discovery and implementation of CRISPR/Cas9 tools in pooled genetic screens have allowed for the rapid, high-fidelity identification of host-virus interactions. However, pooled CRISPR screening has significant limitations in its ability both to perform cell biology and plate reader-based screens and to find alleles that result in intermediate-strength phenotypes. Here we introduce an arrayed CRISPR screening method, FACS-IT, which allows researchers to use high content imaging analysis, plate reader assays, cell supernatant characterization, and percent infectivity to characterize CRISPR-mediated gene disruptions causing both moderate and extreme phenotypic changes.

A highly potent long-acting small-molecule HIV-1 capsid inhibitor with efficacy in a humanized mouse model.

People living with HIV (PLWH) have expressed concern about the life-long burden and stigma associated with taking pills daily and can experience medication fatigue that might lead to suboptimal treatment adherence and the emergence of drug-resistant viral variants, thereby limiting future treatment options. As such, there is strong interest in long-acting antiretroviral (ARV) agents that can be administered less frequently. Herein, we report GS-CA1, a new archetypal small-molecule HIV capsid inhibitor with exceptional potency against HIV-2 and all major HIV-1 types, including viral variants resistant to the ARVs currently in clinical use.

OR14I1 is a receptor for the human cytomegalovirus pentameric complex and defines viral epithelial cell tropism.

A human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) pentameric glycoprotein complex (PC), gH-gL-UL128-UL130-UL131A, is necessary for viral infection of clinically relevant cell types, including epithelial cells, which are important for interhost transmission and disease. We performed genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screens of different cell types in parallel to identify host genes specifically required for HCMV infection of epithelial cells. This effort identified a multipass membrane protein, OR14I1, as a receptor for HCMV infection.

Viral Infection or IFN-α Alters Mitotic Spindle Orientation by Modulating Pericentrin Levels.

Congenital microcephaly occurs in utero during Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. The single-gene disorder, Majewski osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II (MOPDII), also leads to microcephaly and is concomitant with a decrease in the centrosomal protein, pericentrin (PCNT). This protein is a known contributor of mitotic spindle misorientation and ultimately, microcephaly.

Capsid-CPSF6 Interaction Licenses Nuclear HIV-1 Trafficking to Sites of Viral DNA Integration.

HIV-1 integration into the host genome favors actively transcribed genes. Prior work indicated that the nuclear periphery provides the architectural basis for integration site selection, with viral capsid-binding host cofactor CPSF6 and viral integrase-binding cofactor LEDGF/p75 contributing to selection of individual sites. Here, by investigating the early phase of infection, we determine that HIV-1 traffics throughout the nucleus for integration.

CRISPR genetic screens to discover host-virus interactions.

Viruses impose an immense burden on human health. With the goal of treating and preventing viral infections, researchers have carried out genetic screens to improve our understanding of viral dependencies and identify potential anti-viral strategies. The emergence of CRISPR genetic screening tools has facilitated this effort by enabling host-virus screens to be undertaken in a more versatile and fidelitous manner than previously possible.

Identification of Zika Virus and Dengue Virus Dependency Factors using Functional Genomics.

The flaviviruses dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) are severe health threats with rapidly expanding ranges. To identify the host cell dependencies of DENV and ZIKV, we completed orthologous functional genomic screens using RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 approaches. The screens recovered the ZIKV entry factor AXL as well as multiple host factors involved in endocytosis (RAB5C and RABGEF), heparin sulfation (NDST1 and EXT1), and transmembrane protein processing and maturation, including the endoplasmic reticulum membrane complex (EMC).

Structural and functional assessment of APOBEC3G macromolecular complexes.

There are eleven members in the human APOBEC family of proteins that are evolutionarily related through their zinc-dependent cytidine deaminase domains. The human APOBEC gene clusters arose on chromosome 6 and 22 through gene duplication and divergence to where current day APOBEC proteins are functionally diverse and broadly expressed in tissues. APOBEC serve enzymatic and non enzymatic functions in cells.

RNA binding to APOBEC3G induces the disassembly of functional deaminase complexes by displacing single-stranded DNA substrates.

APOBEC3G (A3G) DNA deaminase activity requires a holoenzyme complex whose assembly on nascent viral reverse transcripts initiates with A3G dimers binding to ssDNA followed by formation of higher-order A3G homo oligomers. Catalytic activity is inhibited when A3G binds to RNA. Our prior studies suggested that RNA inhibited A3G binding to ssDNA.

RNASEK Is a V-ATPase-Associated Factor Required for Endocytosis and the Replication of Rhinovirus, Influenza A Virus, and Dengue Virus.

Human rhinovirus (HRV) causes upper respiratory infections and asthma exacerbations. We screened multiple orthologous RNAi reagents and identified host proteins that modulate HRV replication. Here, we show that RNASEK, a transmembrane protein, was needed for the replication of HRV, influenza A virus, and dengue virus.

Functions and regulation of the APOBEC family of proteins.

APOBEC1 is a cytidine deaminase that edits messenger RNAs and was the first enzyme in the APOBEC family to be functionally characterized. Under appropriate conditions APOBEC1 also deaminates deoxycytidine in single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). The other ten members of the APOBEC family have not been fully characterized however several have deoxycytidine deaminase activity on ssDNAs.

Direct evidence that RNA inhibits APOBEC3G ssDNA cytidine deaminase activity.

APOBEC3G (A3G) is a deoxycytidine deaminase active on ssDNA substrates. In HIV infected cells A3G interacted with reverse transcription complexes where its activity as a deoxycytidine deaminase led to mutation of the viral genome. A3G not only bound ssDNA, but it also had an intrinsic ability to bind RNA.

Deaminase activity on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) occurs in vitro when APOBEC3G cytidine deaminase forms homotetramers and higher-order complexes.

APOBEC3G (A3G) is a cytidine deaminase that catalyzes deamination of deoxycytidine (dC) on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). The oligomeric state of A3G required to support deaminase activity remains unknown. We show under defined in vitro conditions that full-length and native A3G formed complexes with ssDNA in an A3G concentration-dependent but temperature-independent manner.