Spike substitution T813S increases Sarbecovirus fusogenicity by enhancing the usage of TMPRSS2.

Abstract

SARS-CoV Spike (S) protein shares considerable homology with SARS-CoV-2 S, especially in the conserved S2 subunit (S2). S protein mediates coronavirus receptor binding and membrane fusion, and the latter activity can greatly influence coronavirus infection. We observed that SARS-CoV S is less effective in inducing membrane fusion compared with SARS-CoV-2 S. We identify that S813T mutation is sufficient in S2 interfering with the cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 S by TMPRSS2, reducing spike fusogenicity and pseudoparticle entry. Conversely, the mutation of T813S in SARS-CoV S increased fusion ability and viral replication. Our data suggested that residue 813 in the S was critical for the proteolytic activation, and the change from threonine to Serine at 813 position might be an evolutionary feature adopted by SARS-2-related viruses. This finding deepened the understanding of Spike fusogenicity and could provide a new perspective for exploring Sarbecovirus evolution. Author SummaryThe Spike strain of SARS-CoV-2 has accumulated many mutations during its time in circulation, most of which have occurred in the S1 region, and more specifically in the RBD, in an effort to either improve the viruss affinity for the receptor ACE2 or to enhance its ability to evade the immune system. Mutations in the Spike S2 region have more far-reaching effects than those in the S1 region because it is more conserved across sarbecoviruses. By comparing SARS and SARS2, we found that an important substitution at amino acid position 813 in the S2 region (T813S) disrupts the utilization of TMPRSS2 and can significantly influence viral entry into cells. This discovery deepens our knowledge of S proteins and provides new prospects for tracing the evolution of Sarbecoviruses.