Altered host protease determinants for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron

Sci Adv. 2023 Jan 20;9(3):eadd3867. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.add3867. Epub 2023 Jan 20.

Abstract

Successful severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection requires proteolytic cleavage of the viral spike protein. While the role of the host transmembrane protease serine 2 in SARS-CoV-2 infection is widely recognized, the involvement of other proteases capable of facilitating SARS-CoV-2 entry remains incompletely explored. Here, we show that multiple members from the membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase (MT-MMP) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase families can mediate SARS-CoV-2 entry. Inhibition of MT-MMPs significantly reduces SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we show that MT-MMPs can cleave SARS-CoV-2 spike and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and facilitate spike-mediated fusion. We further demonstrate that Omicron BA.1 has an increased efficiency on MT-MMP usage, while an altered efficiency on transmembrane serine protease usage for virus entry compared with that of ancestral SARS-CoV-2. These results reveal additional protease determinants for SARS-CoV-2 infection and enhance our understanding on the biology of coronavirus entry.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • Metalloproteases / metabolism
  • Peptide Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Proteolysis
  • SARS-CoV-2* / metabolism
  • Virus Internalization

Substances

  • Peptide Hydrolases
  • Metalloproteases