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| Title | Structural stabilization of the intrinsically disordered SARS-CoV-2 N by binding to RNA sequences engineered from the viral genome fragment. |
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| Journal, issue, pages | Nat Commun, Vol. 16, Issue 1, Page 6521, Year 2025 |
| Publish date | Jul 15, 2025 |
Authors | Sara Landeras-Bueno / Chitra Hariharan / Ruben Diaz Avalos / Andrew S Norris / Dalton T Snyder / Kathryn M Hastie / Stephanie Harkins / Michelle Zandonatti / Roshan R Rajamanickam / Eduardo Olmedillas / Robyn Miller / Sujan Shresta / Vicki H Wysocki / Erica Ollmann Saphire / ![]() |
| PubMed Abstract | The nucleocapsid N is one of four structural proteins of the coronaviruses. Its essential role in genome encapsidation makes it a critical therapeutic target for COVID-19 and related diseases. ...The nucleocapsid N is one of four structural proteins of the coronaviruses. Its essential role in genome encapsidation makes it a critical therapeutic target for COVID-19 and related diseases. However, the inherent disorder of full-length N hampers its structural analysis. Here, we describe a stepwise method using viral-derived RNAs to stabilize SARS-CoV-2 N for EM analysis. We identify pieces of RNA from the SARS-CoV-2 genome that promote the formation of structurally homogeneous N dimers, intermediates of assembly, and filamentous capsid-like structures. Building on these results, we engineer a symmetric RNA to stabilize N protein dimers, the building block of high-order assemblies, for EM studies. We combine domain-specific monoclonal antibodies against N with chemical cross-linking mass spectrometry to validate the spatial arrangement of the N domains within the dimer. Additionally, our cryo-EM analysis reveals novel antigenic sites on the N protein. Our findings provide insights into N protein´s architectural and antigenic principles, which can guide design of pan-coronavirus therapeutics. |
External links | Nat Commun / PubMed:40664703 / PubMed Central |
| Methods | EM (single particle) |
| Resolution | 3.7 - 8.24 Å |
| Structure data | EMDB-45157, PDB-9c2h: ![]() EMDB-45158: SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid dimer complexed to 24 bp RNA |
| Source |
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Keywords | VIRAL PROTEIN / Protein / Fab / immunocomplex |
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