Decoding the structure of RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp), understanding the ancestral relationship and dispersion pattern of 2019 Wuhan Coronavirus (preprint)

ABSTRACT

Most recently, an outbreak of severe pneumonia caused by the infection of 2019-nCoV, a novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China, imposes serious threats to public health. Upon infecting host cells, coronaviruses assemble a multi-subunit RNA-synthesis complex of viral non-structural proteins (nsp) responsible for the replication and transcription of the viral genome. Therefore, the role and inhibition of nsp12 are indispensable. Since there is no crystallographic structure of RdRp is available, so, here, we present the 3-dimensional structure of the 2019-nCoV nsp12 polymerase using a computational approach. nsp12 of 2019-nCoV possesses an architecture common to all viral polymerases as well as a large N-terminal extension. This structure illuminates the assembly of the coronavirus core RNA-synthesis machinery, provides key insights into nsp12 polymerase catalysis and fidelity, and acts as a template for the design of novel antiviral therapeutics. Besides, the experimental structure could reveal the organization in a more sophisticated way. Furthermore, the ancestral state reconstruction suggests the possible evolution of nCoV in Wuhan China and its dispersal to the USA. The result of our analyses postulates the possible dispersal of nCoV from the USA and Shenzhen back to Wuhan. This disclosing of valuable knowledge regarding the 3D structure of 2019-nCoV nsp12 architecture, ancestral relation, and dispersion pattern could help to design effective therapeutic candidates against the coronaviruses and design robust preventive measurements.