A. D. Davidson

The α-dystroglycan N-terminus is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 and enveloped viruses

This study shows that the N-terminal fragment of α-dystroglycan blocks SARS-CoV-2 and other enveloped viruses in cell culture and animal models.

Allosteric modulation by the fatty acid site in the glycosylated SARS-CoV-2 spike

This paper uses D-NEMD simulations to study how the fatty acid site in the glycosylated SARS-CoV-2 spike modulates its structure and function, revealing allosteric networks and the role of glycans.

Broad-spectrum antiviral activity of clinically approved CYP3A inhibitors against pathogenic human coronaviruses in vitro

This study shows that cobicistat and ritonavir have antiviral activity against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants and other human coronaviruses, with cobicistat being more potent.

Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 lacking initiating and internal methionine codons within ORF10 is attenuated in vivo

This study shows that a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 virus lacking ORF10 start and internal methionine codons is attenuated in hamsters, with reduced lower respiratory tract viral titre and increased reversion to wild-type.

SARS-CoV-2 NSP12 associates with the TRiC complex and the P323L substitution is a host adaption.

The paper identifies NSP12's interaction with the TRiC complex and shows the P323L substitution enhances viral adaptation by reducing sensitivity to PP2A perturbations.

The SARS-CoV-2 protein ORF3c is a mitochondrial modulator of innate immunity

This study identifies ORF3c as a SARS-CoV-2 protein that localizes to mitochondria and inhibits IFN-β production without affecting NF-κB or JAK-STAT signaling.

Alterations in platelet proteome signature and impaired platelet integrin αIIbβ3 activation in patients with COVID-19

This study identifies altered platelet proteome and impaired integrin αIIbβ3 activation in COVID-19 patients, linked to increased platelet-neutrophil aggregates and thromboinflammation.

Development of SARS-CoV-2 replicons for the ancestral virus and variant of concern Delta for antiviral screening.

The paper develops SARS-CoV-2 replicons for the ancestral virus and Delta variant to screen antiviral compounds, showing sensitivity to remdesivir.

Molecular dynamics of spike variants in the locked conformation: RBD interfaces, fatty acid binding and furin cleavage sites.

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to analyze sequence variations in SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and their effects on receptor binding domain interfaces, fatty acid binding, and furin cleavage site motions across variants.

The Free Fatty Acid-Binding Pocket is a Conserved Hallmark in Pathogenic β-Coronavirus Spike Proteins from SARS-CoV to Omicron

The paper identifies a conserved free fatty acid-binding pocket in pathogenic β-coronavirus spike proteins that suppresses viral infection and replication.

SARS-CoV-2 spike variants differ in their allosteric response to linoleic acid

This study compares how SARS-CoV-2 spike variants respond to linoleic acid removal using simulations, finding significant differences in allosteric connections that may affect transmissibility and virulence.

ESCPE-1 Mediates Retrograde Endosomal Sorting of the SARS-CoV-2 Host Factor Neuropilin-1

The paper identifies Neuropilin-1 as a retrograde cargo of ESCPE-1 and shows ESCPE-1 mediates its trafficking, potentially facilitating SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Rapid selection of P323L in the SARS-CoV-2 polymerase (NSP12) in humans and non-human primate models and confers a large plaque phenotype

The paper tracks the rapid emergence of the P323L mutation in SARS-CoV-2 polymerase in human and non-human primate models, showing it confers a larger plaque phenotype compared to P323.

The fatty acid site is coupled to functional motifs in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and modulates spike allosteric behaviour

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to show that the fatty acid binding site in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein influences distant functional regions and variant behavior.

The SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein disrupts human cardiac pericytes function through CD147-receptor-mediated signalling: a potential non-infective mechanism of COVID-19 microvascular disease

This paper shows that SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein causes cardiac pericyte dysfunction through CD147-mediated signaling, without infecting the cells.

Sequential infection with influenza A virus followed by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) leads to more severe disease and encephalitis in a mouse model of COVID-19.

This study shows that sequential infection with influenza A virus followed by SARS-CoV-2 in mice leads to more severe disease and encephalitis compared to single infections.

The furin cleavage site of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is a key determinant for transmission due to enhanced replication in airway cells.

This study shows the furin cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein enhances replication in airway cells, contributing to transmission efficiency.

The FDA-approved drug Alectinib compromises SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid phosphorylation and inhibits viral infection in vitro

This study identifies Alectinib as an FDA-approved drug that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid phosphorylation and viral replication in vitro by targeting host kinases.

Imd pathway-specific immune assays reveal NF-κB stimulation by viral RNA PAMPs in Aedes aegypti Aag2 cells

The paper develops immune assays to study NF-κB activation in Aedes aegypti cells, finding that viral RNA triggers the Imd pathway but not the Toll pathway.

Neuropilin-1 is a host factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection

This study shows that SARS-CoV-2's S1 protein binds to NRP1 via the CendR motif, enhancing infection and identifying NRP1 as a therapeutic target.

Characterisation of the transcriptome and proteome of SARS-CoV-2 using direct RNA sequencing and tandem mass spectrometry reveals evidence for a cell passage induced in-frame deletion in the spike glycoprotein that removes the furin-like cleavage site

Aedes aegypti (Aag2)-derived clonal mosquito cell lines reveal the impact of pre-existing persistent infection with the insect-specific bunyavirus Phasi Charoen-like virus on arbovirus replication

The paper investigates the impact of persistent insect-specific virus infection on arbovirus replication in mosquito cell lines and provides a well-characterized clonal cell line for arbovirus research.