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A team of researchers studied the two main viroporins of SARS-CoV-2, namely Orf3a and Envelope (E) protein, from a structural viewpoint.

SARS-CoV-2 has a single-stranded RNA genome encoding both structural and non-structural proteins. Of these, the latter is known to play a variety of roles in viral replication and the assembly of new viral particles, as well as in suppressing cellular immune responses. A new study reports the activity of one such protein, the non-structural protein 14 (NSP14), which activates the inflammatory mediator NF-κB to trigger intense inflammation.

Screening for SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 14 inhibitors The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome generates 16 distinct non-structural proteins (nsp) that constitute the enzymes and accessory proteins responsible for virus replication once inside a host cell. These protein complexes produce and cap RNA strands that will go on to be translated by the host machinery. Capping the RNA in a manner that is recognized as similar to endogenous mRNA ensures compatibility, lessens RNA degradation rates and lowers the probability of triggering an immune response in th...

Small molecule inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 identified by screening Even as the vaccine rollout continues against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), seeking to bring an end to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, new variants emerge that show immune escape capabilities. Effective and safe drugs thus remain essential to treat severe infections with this virus. A new preprint, released on the bioRxiv* server, describes the identification of small molecule inhibitors that block the catalytic activity of the crucial viral non-structural protein 5 (nsp5), u...

Discovery of cryptic pocket in SARS-CoV-2 may lead to pan-coronavirus therapies Coronaviruses have been around for a long time and have caused several recent deadly outbreaks. The most recent is the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A new research paper published in the Biophysical Journal describes a novel binding pocket used by a viral non-structural protein (nsp) to form an activated complex with its partner nsp. In so doing, it may have revealed a common target that may be useful in the dev...