Download MendeleyIdentification of a guanine-specific pocket in the protein N of SARS-CoV-2.
Rafael Ciges-Tomas, J., Franco, M.L., Vilar, M.(2022) Commun Biol 5: 711-711
- PubMed: 35842466
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-022-03647-8
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
7O05, 7O35, 7O36 - PubMed Abstract:
The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N) is responsible for RNA binding. Here we report the crystal structure of the C-terminal domain (N CTD ) in open and closed conformations and in complex with guanine triphosphate, GTP. The crystal structure and biochemical studies reveal a specific interaction between the guanine, a nucleotide enriched in the packaging signals regions of coronaviruses, and a highly conserved tryptophan residue (W330). In addition, EMSA assays with SARS-CoV-2 derived RNA hairpin loops from a putative viral packaging sequence showed the preference interaction of the N-CTD to RNA oligonucleotides containing G and the loss of the specificity in the mutant W330A. Here we propose that this interaction may facilitate the viral assembly process. In summary, we have identified a specific guanine-binding pocket in the N protein that may be used to design viral assembly inhibitors.
Organizational Affiliation:
Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia-CSIC Spanish National Research Council, C/Jaime Roig, 11, 46010, Valencia, Spain. rafaelciges@gmail.com.
