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TMEM106B is a receptor mediating ACE2-independent SARS-CoV-2 cell entry.

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-08-10, 09:57 authored by Jim Baggen, Maarten Jacquemyn, Leentje Persoons, Els Vanstreels, Valerie E Pye, Antoni G Wrobel, Valeria Calvaresi, Stephen R Martin, Chloë Roustan, Nora B Cronin, Eamonn Reading, Hendrik Jan Thibaut, Thomas Vercruysse, Piet Maes, Frederik De Smet, Angie Yee, Toey Nivitchanyong, Marina Roell, Natalia Franco-Hernandez, Herve Rhinn, Alusha Andre Mamchak, Maxime Ah Young-Chapon, Eric Brown, Peter Cherepanov, Dirk Daelemans
SARS-CoV-2 is associated with broad tissue tropism, a characteristic often determined by the availability of entry receptors on host cells. Here, we show that TMEM106B, a lysosomal transmembrane protein, can serve as an alternative receptor for SARS-CoV-2 entry into angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-negative cells. Spike substitution E484D increased TMEM106B binding, thereby enhancing TMEM106B-mediated entry. TMEM106B-specific monoclonal antibodies blocked SARS-CoV-2 infection, demonstrating a role of TMEM106B in viral entry. Using X-ray crystallography, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), we show that the luminal domain (LD) of TMEM106B engages the receptor-binding motif of SARS-CoV-2 spike. Finally, we show that TMEM106B promotes spike-mediated syncytium formation, suggesting a role of TMEM106B in viral fusion. Together, our findings identify an ACE2-independent SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanism that involves cooperative interactions with the receptors heparan sulfate and TMEM106B.

Funding

Crick (Grant ID: CC2058, Grant title: Cherepanov CC2058) Crick (Grant ID: CC1068, Grant title: STP Structural Biology) Crick (Grant ID: CC2060, Grant title: Gamblin CC2060)

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