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Javier A. Jaimes

Bio: Javier A. Jaimes is an academic researcher from Cornell University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Coronavirus & Furin. The author has an hindex of 14, co-authored 27 publications receiving 1280 citations.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The role of the CoV spike protein in mediating fusion of the viral and host cell membranes is reviewed, summarizing the results of research on SARS- CoV, MERS-CoV, and recent peer-reviewed studies of SARS -CoV-2, and it is suggested that the fusion mechanism be investigated as a potential antiviral target.

615 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Structural modeling of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein identifies an extended structural loop containing basic amino acids at the interface of the receptor binding (S1) and fusion (S2) domains that confers fusion activation and entry properties more in line with betacoronaviruses in lineages A and C.

408 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
26 Jun 2020-iScience
TL;DR: This work investigates the potential role of this novel S1/S2 cleavage site and presents direct biochemical evidence for proteolytic processing by a variety of proteases in the context of the origin of SARS-CoV-2, viral stability and transmission.

262 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
10 Jan 2020-Viruses
TL;DR: It is suggested that the understanding of FIP needs to consider whether the presence of these two distinct viruses has implications in clinical settings, and a new concept related to the non-taxonomical classification and differentiation among FCoVs is introduced.
Abstract: Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is a complex viral agent that causes a variety of clinical manifestations in cats, commonly known as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). It is recognized that FCoV can occur in two different serotypes. However, differences in the S protein are much more than serological or antigenic variants, resulting in the effective presence of two distinct viruses. Here, we review the distinct differences in the S proteins of these viruses, which are likely to translate into distinct biological outcomes. We introduce a new concept related to the non-taxonomical classification and differentiation among FCoVs by analyzing and comparing the genetic, structural, and functional characteristics of FCoV and the FCoV S protein among the two serotypes and FCoV biotypes. Based on our analysis, we suggest that our understanding of FIP needs to consider whether the presence of these two distinct viruses has implications in clinical settings.

109 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the impact of S1/S2 cleavage on infectivity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was studied using pseudoparticles and protease inhibitors.
Abstract: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses its spike (S) protein to mediate viral entry into host cells. Cleavage of the S protein at the S1/S2 and/or S2' site(s) is associated with viral entry, which can occur at either the cell plasma membrane (early pathway) or the endosomal membrane (late pathway), depending on the cell type. Previous studies show that SARS-CoV-2 has a unique insert at the S1/S2 site that can be cleaved by furin, which appears to expand viral tropism to cells with suitable protease and receptor expression. Here, we utilize viral pseudoparticles and protease inhibitors to study the impact of the S1/S2 cleavage on infectivity. Our results demonstrate that S1/S2 cleavage is essential for early pathway entry into Calu-3 cells, a model lung epithelial cell line, but not for late pathway entry into Vero E6 cells, a model cell line. The S1/S2 cleavage was found to be processed by other proteases beyond furin. Using bioinformatic tools, we also analyze the presence of a furin S1/S2 site in related CoVs and offer thoughts on the origin of the insertion of the furin-like cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2.

106 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The symptoms, epidemiology, transmission, pathogenesis, phylogenetic analysis and future directions to control the spread of this fatal disease are highlighted.

4,065 citations

DOI
01 Jan 2020

1,967 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
Yuan Huang1, Chan Yang1, Xin feng Xu1, Wei Xu1, Shuwen Liu1 
TL;DR: Recent research advance in the structure, function and development of antivirus drugs targeting the spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 is highlighted.
Abstract: Coronavirus disease 2019 is a newly emerging infectious disease currently spreading across the world. It is caused by a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2, which plays a key role in the receptor recognition and cell membrane fusion process, is composed of two subunits, S1 and S2. The S1 subunit contains a receptor-binding domain that recognizes and binds to the host receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, while the S2 subunit mediates viral cell membrane fusion by forming a six-helical bundle via the two-heptad repeat domain. In this review, we highlight recent research advance in the structure, function and development of antivirus drugs targeting the S protein.

1,431 citations