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Coronavirus NSP14 Drives Internal m 7 G Modification to Rewire Host Splicing and Promote Viral Replication
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|September 15, 2025
Summary
SARS-CoV-2 uses its NSP14 protein to add N7-methylguanosine (m7G) modifications to host mRNA, disrupting gene expression and aiding viral replication. Inhibiting this m7G modification halts virus spread, offering a new therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Epitranscriptomics
Background:
- SARS-CoV-2 infection disrupts host gene expression via RNA processing.
- Viral proteins play a role in manipulating host cellular machinery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 14 (NSP14) in host mRNA modification.
- To elucidate the mechanism and consequences of NSP14-induced RNA modifications.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical assays to assess NSP14's methyltransferase activity.
- RNA sequencing and analysis to identify modified mRNA transcripts.
- Inhibition studies targeting NSP14 and RNA polymerase II.
Main Results:
- NSP14 catalyzes internal N7-methylguanosine (m7G) modification in host mRNA.
- This modification disrupts mRNA splicing, leading to intron retention and altered gene expression.
- Inhibition of m7G modification significantly impairs SARS-CoV-2 replication.
Conclusions:
- SARS-CoV-2 NSP14 hijacks host epitranscriptomic machinery for viral propagation.
- NSP14-induced internal m7G modification is a conserved mechanism in coronaviruses.
- Targeting NSP14-mediated m7G modification presents a potential therapeutic strategy against COVID-19.
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