Structure of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in the presence of favipiravir-RTP.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
; 118(7)2021 02 16.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1060504
ABSTRACT
The RNA polymerase inhibitor favipiravir is currently in clinical trials as a treatment for infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), despite limited information about the molecular basis for its activity. Here we report the structure of favipiravir ribonucleoside triphosphate (favipiravir-RTP) in complex with the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) bound to a templateprimer RNA duplex, determined by electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM) to a resolution of 2.5 Å. The structure shows clear evidence for the inhibitor at the catalytic site of the enzyme, and resolves the conformation of key side chains and ions surrounding the binding pocket. Polymerase activity assays indicate that the inhibitor is weakly incorporated into the RNA primer strand, and suppresses RNA replication in the presence of natural nucleotides. The structure reveals an unusual, nonproductive binding mode of favipiravir-RTP at the catalytic site of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp, which explains its low rate of incorporation into the RNA primer strand. Together, these findings inform current and future efforts to develop polymerase inhibitors for SARS coronaviruses.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pyrazines
/
Enzyme Inhibitors
/
Amides
/
Coronavirus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
/
SARS-CoV-2
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Pnas.2021946118
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