Furin cleavage of the SARS-CoV-2 spike is modulated by <i>O</i> -glycosylation

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus responsible for the global pandemic contains a novel furin cleavage site in the spike protein (S) that increases viral infectivity and syncytia formation in cells. Here, we show that <i>O</i>-glycosylation near the furin cleavage site is mediated by members of the GALNT enzyme family, resulting in decreased furin cleavage and decreased syncytia formation. Moreover, we show that <i>O</i>-glycosylation is dependent on the novel proline at position 681 (P681). Mutations of P681 seen in the highly transmissible alpha and delta variants abrogate <i>O</i>-glycosylation, increase furin cleavage, and increase syncytia formation. Finally, we show that GALNT family members capable of glycosylating S are expressed in human respiratory cells that are targets for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our results suggest that host <i>O</i>-glycosylation may influence viral infectivity/tropism by modulating furin cleavage of S and provide mechanistic insight into the role of the P681 mutations found in the highly transmissible alpha and delta variants.