Structural basis for translation inhibition by MERS-CoV Nsp1 reveals a conserved mechanism for betacoronaviruses.

ABSTRACT: All betacoronaviruses (β-CoVs) encode non-structural protein 1 (Nsp1), an essential pathogenicity factor that potently restricts host gene expression. Among the β-CoV family, MERS-CoV is the most distantly related member to SARS-CoV-2, and the mechanism for host translation inhibition by MERS-CoV Nsp1 remains controversial. Herein, we show that MERS-CoV Nsp1 directly interacts with the 40S ribosomal subunit. Using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we report a 2.6-Å structure of the MERS-CoV Nsp1 bound to the human 40S ribosomal subunit. The extensive interactions between C-terminal domain of MERS-CoV Nsp1 and the mRNA entry channel of the 40S ribosomal subunit are critical for its translation inhibition function. This mechanism of MERS-CoV Nsp1 is strikingly similar to SARS-CoV and

SUBMITTER: Devarkar SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12447786 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature