Structural and Biochemical Characterization of the nsp12-nsp7-nsp8 Core Polymerase Complex from SARS-CoV-2

• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107774
• Publication Date: 2020-05-30T08:42:43Z
• Authors: Qi Peng; Ruchao Peng; Bin Yuan; Jingru Zhao; Min Wang; Xixi Wang; Qian Wang; Yan Sun; Zheng Fan; Jianxun Qi; George F. Gao; Yi Shi
• Keywords: Coronavirus

The ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a huge number human deaths. Currently, there are no specific drugs or vaccines available for this virus (SARS-CoV-2). viral polymerase is promising antiviral target. Here, we describe the near-atomic-resolution structure SARS-CoV-2 complex consisting nsp12 catalytic subunit and nsp7-nsp8 cofactors. This highly resembles counterpart SARS-CoV with conserved motifs all RNA-dependent RNA polymerases suggests mechanism activation by Biochemical studies reveal reduced activity core lower thermostability individual subunits compared SARS-CoV. These findings provide important insights into synthesis indicate adaptation toward humans relatively body temperature than natural bat hosts.