Structure of the SARS-CoV nsp12 polymerase bound to nsp7 and nsp8 co-factors

作者：Robert N. Kirchdoerfer, Andrew B. Ward · 发表于：Nature Communications · 年份：2019 · DOI：10.1038/s41467-019-10280-3 · 被引用次数：958 · 研究领域：Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology、Viral Infections and Immunology Research、SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research

Recent history is punctuated by the emergence of highly pathogenic coronaviruses such as SARS- and MERS-CoV into human circulation. Upon infecting host cells, coronaviruses assemble a multi-subunit RNA-synthesis complex of viral non-structural proteins (nsp) responsible for the replication and transcription of the viral genome. Here, we present the 3.1 Å resolution structure of the SARS-CoV nsp12 polymerase bound to its essential co-factors, nsp7 and nsp8, using single particle cryo-electron microscopy. nsp12 possesses an architecture common to all viral polymerases as well as a large N-terminal extension containing a kinase-like fold and is bound by two nsp8 co-factors. This structure illuminates the assembly of the coronavirus core RNA-synthesis machinery, provides key insights into nsp12 polymerase catalysis and fidelity and acts as a template for the design of novel antiviral therapeutics.