6YYT

Structure of replicating SARS-CoV-2 polymerase

Summary for 6YYT

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb6yyt/pdb
• EMDB information: 11007
• Descriptor: nsp12, nsp8, nsp7, ... (5 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: rna polymerase, replication, transcription, sars-cov-2, viral protein
• Biological source: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (2019-nCoV); More
• Total number of polymer chains: 8
• Total formula weight: 183805.21

Authors

Hillen, H.S.,Kokic, G.,Farnung, L.,Dienemann, C.,Tegunov, D.,Cramer, P. (deposition date: 2020-05-06, release date: 2020-05-13, Last modification date: 2024-05-22)

Primary citation

Hillen, H.S.,Kokic, G.,Farnung, L.,Dienemann, C.,Tegunov, D.,Cramer, P.
Structure of replicating SARS-CoV-2 polymerase.
Nature, 584:154-156, 2020

PubMed Abstract: The new coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) for the replication of its genome and the transcription of its genes. Here we present a cryo-electron microscopy structure of the SARS-CoV-2 RdRp in an active form that mimics the replicating enzyme. The structure comprises the viral proteins non-structural protein 12 (nsp12), nsp8 and nsp7, and more than two turns of RNA template-product duplex. The active-site cleft of nsp12 binds to the first turn of RNA and mediates RdRp activity with conserved residues. Two copies of nsp8 bind to opposite sides of the cleft and position the second turn of RNA. Long helical extensions in nsp8 protrude along exiting RNA, forming positively charged 'sliding poles'. These sliding poles can account for the known processivity of RdRp that is required for replicating the long genome of coronaviruses. Our results enable a detailed analysis of the inhibitory mechanisms that underlie the antiviral activity of substances such as remdesivir, a drug for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

PubMed: 32438371
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2368-8

Experimental method

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (2.9 Å)