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Updated: Dec 19, 2025
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Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 using Immuno RNA-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization
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Structural Basis of RNA Cap Modification by SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus
Thiruselvam Viswanathan1,2, Shailee Arya1,2, Siu-Hong Chan3
1Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 8403 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|June 9, 2020
Summary
Scientists determined the structure of SARS-CoV-2 nsp16/nsp10 proteins, revealing how they methylate viral mRNA to evade immune responses. This finding offers a unique binding site for developing new antiviral drugs against COVID-19.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Structural Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19.
- SARS-CoV-2 utilizes non-structural protein 16 (nsp16) to methylate viral mRNA, mimicking cellular mRNA and evading host immune detection.
- Understanding the nsp16/nsp10 complex is crucial for developing antiviral strategies.
Conclusions:
- The determined structure provides novel mechanistic insights into the 2'-O methylation of viral mRNA caps by SARS-CoV-2 nsp16/nsp10.
- The identified unique binding site represents a potential target for the development of novel antiviral therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2.
- This research contributes to understanding viral evasion mechanisms and offers new avenues for drug discovery.
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