One severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus protein complex integrates processive RNA polymerase and exonuclease activities

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1323705111
• Publication Date: 2014-09-03T03:56:19Z
• Authors: Lorenzo Subissi; Clara C. Posthuma; Axelle Collet; Jessika C. Zevenh...; Alexander E. Gorb...; Etienne Decroly; Eric J. Snijder; Bruno Canard; Isabelle Imbert
• Keywords: Processivity; Proofreading; Exoribonuclease; Coronavirus; Small nuclear RNA; Coronaviridae

Significance The 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic and recent emergence of Middle East highlight the potential lethality zoonotic coronavirus infections in humans. No specific antiviral treatment options are available. Coronaviruses possess largest known RNA virus genomes encode a complex replication machinery consisting 16 viral nonstructural proteins (nsps). Our study reveals that SARS-coronavirus polymerase (nsp12) needs to associate with nsp7 nsp8 activate its capability replicate long RNA. Moreover, this associates nsp14, proofreading subunit required safeguard fidelity. thus defines core an RNA-synthesizing is unique world includes several key targets for drug development.