Cryptococcal protease(s) and the activation of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein
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Date
2022
Authors
Mjokane, Nozethu
Maliehe, Maphori
Folorunso, Olufemi S.
Ogundeji, Adepemi O.
Gcilitshana, Onele M. N.
Albertyn, Jacobus
Pohl, Carolina H.
Sebolai, Olihile M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
In this contribution, we report on the possibility that cryptococcal protease(s) could activate
the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. The S protein is documented to have a unique four-amino-acid
sequence (underlined, SPRRAR|S) at the interface between the S1 and S2 sites, that serves as a
cleavage site for the human protease, furin. We compared the biochemical efficiency of cryptococcal
protease(s) and furin to mediate the proteolytic cleavage of the S1/S2 site in a fluorogenic peptide.
We show that cryptococcal protease(s) processes this site in a manner comparable to the efficiency of
furin (p > 0.581). We conclude the paper by discussing the impact of these findings in the context of a
SARS-CoV-2 disease manifesting while there is an underlying cryptococcal infection.
Description
Keywords
Cryptococcal infection, Cryptococcus, Cryptococcus neoformans, Fluorogenic peptide, Furin, Protease, Proteolytic cleavage, S1/S2 cleavage site, SARS-CoV-2, Spike (S) protein
Citation
Mjokane, N., Maliehe, M., Folorunso, O.S., Ogundeji, A.O., Gcilitshana, O.M.N., Albertyn, J., Pohl, C.H., & Sebolai, O.M. (2022). Cryptococcal protease(s) and the activation of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. Cells, 11, 437. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11030437