Stefan Pöhlmann

Proteolytic control of the SARS-CoV-2 furin cleavage site defines the phenotypic evolution from the pandemic to endemic state

The paper shows how SARS-CoV-2 variants, particularly Omicron, evolved proteolytic controls at the Spike furin cleavage site to enhance transmission while reducing lower respiratory tract pathogenicity.

Reduced DPP4 Binding Confers Resistance to Soluble DPP4 While Preserving MERS-CoV Entry into Cells Expressing High Levels of DPP4

This study identifies mutations in the MERS-CoV S protein that reduce soluble DPP4 binding and confer resistance to sDPP4 while maintaining entry into cells with high DPP4 levels.

The conserved QTQTX motif in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is dispensable for cleavage and lung cell entry of the emerging variant BA.3.2

This study shows the QTQTX motif in BA.3.2 S protein is not required for cleavage or lung cell entry, which depends on TMPRSS2 instead.

Development of immortalized Callithrix jacchus kidney cell lines supporting infection with a panel of viruses

The paper develops and characterizes three immortalized kidney cell lines from common marmosets that support infection with multiple viruses, including Zika and Herpes simplex virus 1.

Replication of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineages is defined by TMPRSS2 use in environments where ACE2 is complexed with solute carriers SLC6A19 and SLC6A20.

This paper shows that SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineages replicate using a specific ACE2 pool that does not complex with TMPRSS2, unlike pre-Omicron variants.

Proteolytic processing of the Marburg virus glycoprotein depends on Sec616β and is required for cell entry

This paper identifies Sec61β as essential for proteolytic processing and cell entry of Marburg virus glycoprotein, unlike Ebola virus, and suggests Sec61 as a therapeutic target.

Q1020R in the spike proteins of MERS-CoV from Arabian camels and recent human cases confers resistance against soluble human DPP4

The paper compares MERS-CoV variants from Arabian and African camels, showing Arabian viruses are more resistant to inhibition by human soluble DPP4 due to the Q1020R mutation in the spike protein.

Impact of JN.1 booster vaccination on neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 variants KP.3.1.1 and XEC

The paper characterizes the XEC SARS-CoV-2 lineage and evaluates the neutralization effect of JN.1 booster vaccination against KP.3.1.1 and XEC variants.

Glycoprotein K8.1 shapes KSHV liver and bone marrow tropism in the marmoset infection model

This study shows that glycoprotein K8.1 is critical for KSHV tissue tropism in marmosets, but not for initial infection.

Virological traits of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.87.1 lineage

This study investigates the virological traits of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.87.1 lineage, finding it efficiently enters human cells but is more sensitive to antibody neutralization than JN.1.

ACE2-independent sarbecovirus cell entry is supported by TMPRSS2-related enzymes and reduces sensitivity to antibody-mediated neutralization

This study identifies an ACE2-independent pathway for sarbecovirus entry in human cells, mediated by TMPRSS2-related proteases and linked to reduced antibody neutralization.

The RNA demethylase FTO controls m6A marking on SARS-CoV-2 and classifies COVID-19 severity in patients

This study shows that FTO affects m6A marking on SARS-CoV-2 RNA and correlates with COVID-19 severity in patients.

Topologically Engineered Tetrahedral Antibody Architectures for Multispecific Therapy

This paper engineers tetrahedral antibodies with a non-planar architecture to overcome steric constraints in multispecific therapy, showing improved stability and in vivo efficacy in non-human primates.

Interferon induction and not replication interference mainly determines anti-influenza virus activity of defective interfering particles

This study shows that defective interfering particles (DIPs) primarily exert antiviral activity through interferon (IFN) system activation rather than suppression of viral replication.

SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.617 is resistant to Bamlanivimab and evades antibodies induced by infection and vaccination

Increased lung cell entry of B.1.617.2 and evasion of antibodies induced by infection and BNT162b2 vaccination

This study shows that the B.1.617.2 variant of SARS-CoV-2 evades antibodies from infection and vaccination, increases lung cell entry, and enhances cell fusion.

SARS-CoV-2 mutations acquired in mink reduce antibody-mediated neutralization

The paper shows that SARS-CoV-2 mutations from mink reduce antibody neutralization, suggesting potential risks for human infections.

SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.351 and B.1.1.248: Escape from therapeutic antibodies and antibodies induced by infection and vaccination

Camostat mesylate inhibits SARS-CoV-2 activation by TMPRSS2-related proteases and its metabolite GBPA exerts antiviral activity

This study shows camostat mesylate inhibits SARS-CoV-2 by blocking TMPRSS2 and its metabolite GBPA also has antiviral activity, suggesting no resistance through TMPRSS2-related proteases.

The novel coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV) uses the SARS-coronavirus receptor ACE2 and the cellular protease TMPRSS2 for entry into target cells

The paper shows that 2019-nCoV uses ACE2 and TMPRSS2 for cell entry, identifies TMPRSS2 as a therapeutic target, and demonstrates neutralization by SARS patient serum.