9x7h

Structural highlights

Function

A0A166XB12_9NIDO Forms a primer, NSP9-pU, which is utilized by the polymerase for the initiation of RNA chains. Interacts with ribosome signal recognition particle RNA (SRP). Together with NSP8, suppress protein integration into the cell membrane, thereby disrupting host immune defenses.[ARBA:ARBA00043928] Plays a role in viral transcription/replication and prevents the simultaneous activation of host cell dsRNA sensors, such as MDA5/IFIH1, OAS, and PKR. Acts by degrading the 5'-polyuridines generated during replication of the poly(A) region of viral genomic and subgenomic RNAs. Catalyzes a two-step reaction in which a 2'3'-cyclic phosphate (2'3'-cP) is first generated by 2'-O transesterification, which is then hydrolyzed to a 3'-phosphate (3'-P). If not degraded, poly(U) RNA would hybridize with poly(A) RNA tails and activate host dsRNA sensors.[ARBA:ARBA00046192] RNA-directed RNA polymerase that catalyzes the transcription of viral genomic and subgenomic RNAs. Acts in complex with nsp7 and nsp8 to transcribe both the minus and positive strands of genomic RNA. The kinase-like NiRAN domain of NSP12 attaches one or more nucleotides to the amino terminus of NSP9, forming a covalent RNA-protein intermediate that serves as transcription/replication primer. Subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs) are formed by discontinuous transcription: The polymerase has the ability to pause at transcription-regulating sequences (TRS) and jump to the leader TRS, resulting in a major deletion. This creates a series of subgenomic RNAs that are replicated, transcribed and translated. In addition, Nsp12 is a subunit of the viral RNA capping enzyme that catalyzes the RNA guanylyltransferase reaction for genomic and sub-genomic RNAs. Subsequently, the NiRAN domain transfers RNA to GDP, and forms the core cap structure GpppA-RNA.[ARBA:ARBA00043918] The replicase polyprotein of coronaviruses is a multifunctional protein: it contains the activities necessary for the transcription of negative stranded RNA, leader RNA, subgenomic mRNAs and progeny virion RNA as well as proteinases responsible for the cleavage of the polyprotein into functional products.[ARBA:ARBA00003368]

References

1. ↑ Su H, Nie T, Chen G, Xiong M, Zhang Y, Wu G, You M, Xie H, He J, Xiong Y, Hu H, Zhao W, Li M, Xiao G, Zhang L, Xu Y. Structure-Based Development of Ultra-Broad-Spectrum 3C-Like Protease Inhibitors. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2025 Dec 12:e12342. PMID:41388583 doi:10.1002/advs.202512342