Biology subjects

Decroly, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Decroly, E..

16 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

A 10-year longitudinal study reveals bat-driven SARSr-CoV evolution

Bats are recognized reservoirs for several zoonoses and have an exceptional tolerance to viruses, likely linked with strong evolutionary selection in immune genes. Notably, in light of the emergence history of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), SARS-CoV-2 is hypothesized to have originated from Rhinolophus bats as well. In-depth studies are still needed, however, to unravel how SARS-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoVs) persist and thrive in nature through evolution, virus-host interactions, and cross-species transmission. Here we present a pioneering 10-year longitudinal study of BBCoV-EPI1, a SARSr-CoV in Rhinolophus bats that revealed the complexity of virus-host interactions and the tempo at which new viral lineages emerge. Our results demonstrated the impacts of host life cycles (hibernation, female gathering, weaning juveniles, and mating periods) on strong seasonal oscillations in viral prevalence. These pronounced fluctuations drove viral diversification through bottlenecks, founder effects and Darwinian selection, counterbalanced by high mutation rates, fast gradualism, and recombination. We also found that host-cell enzymes are major contributors to BBCoV-EPI1 evolution in bats. The antiviral effect of APOBEC3 detected here in bats is weaker than it is in humans. Conversely, the ADAR enzyme had an unexpectedly strong and beneficial influence on viral evolution, even though the high mutation rate of RNA viruses is usually attributed to viral polymerases' low replication fidelity. We discovered that key BBCoV-EPI1 innovations in Rhinolophus bats were mostly located in proteins involved in cell-cycle hijack and in blocking bat cells' antiviral response, rather than in the Spike (S). We also showed that the BBCoV-EPI1 S protein efficiently uses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor to enter Rhinolophus bat cells, but not to enter human or sympatric species cells, due to amino-acid differences at the S-ACE2 interface. Last, this work identifies 101 critical amino-acid changes frequently associated with viral fitness shift, and paves the way for future experimental studies focusing on the capacity of SARSr-CoVs to adapt to hosts and cross the species barrier.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2026

Three phylogenetic metrics are compatible with natural evolution of the earliest SARS-CoV-2 sequence

Comparative analyses of coronavirus sequences can unravel important aspects of their complex evolution. Here we develop a method to infer past recombination breakpoints based on minimizing homoplasies count. We test it on three outbreak viruses (SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2) and various chimeric coronaviruses as positive controls. We identify genomic regions evolving under distinct selective pressures. We also trace possible signs of human-made manipulations using metrics such as synonymous and non-synonymous mutation rates, codon usage and insertion patterns. Our pipeline appears to efficiently detect synthetic sequence optimization or genome re-encoding, but does not identify chimeras of natural viruses. Unlike in positive controls, with our method no signal of human-made manipulation is detected in SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV, nor SARS-CoV-2.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Nuclear activities and interactome of the NS5 protein of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus

Orthoflaviviruses are RNA viruses responsible for significant diseases in humans, domesticated animals and wildlife. Their NS5 protein is central in viral replication, functioning both as an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and a methyltransferase, while also modulating cellular processes, including the interferon response. Although viral replication is cytoplasmic, the NS5 protein of several mosquito-borne orthoflaviviruses cycles between the cytoplasm and the nucleus of infected human cells. However, the nuclear localization and function of NS5 of tick-borne orthoflaviviruses, such as tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), remained poorly understood. Microscopy analysis and cell fractionation revealed that the NS5 protein of TBEV localized to both the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm of infected cells. Mutagenesis studies identified critical residues required for its nuclear targeting. Mutating these residues in a TBEV replicon abolished viral replication. Immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry analyses performed in two human cell lines infected with TBEV recovered 352 NS5 partners. Among them, 187 were nuclear or partially nuclear. By integrating our interactome data with that of Powassan virus (POWV), another tick-borne orthoflavivirus, we refined a list of 20 high-confidence NS5 partners, including splicing factors and chromatin modulators. Functional analysis revealed that seven of these nuclear partners significantly modulated viral replication, further underscoring the importance of nuclear NS5 in the viral life cycle. Our work advances our understanding of the nuclear function of the NS5 proteins of tick-borne orthoflaviviruses. ImportanceTick-borne orthoflaviviruses are emerging globally, spreading across Europe, Asia, and North America, where they infect humans, domesticated animals, and wildlife. These viruses produce a protein called NS5, which drives viral replication and helps evade the innate immune response. We observed that the NS5 protein of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) localized both in the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm of infected human cells. We identified the specific residues responsible for its nuclear addressing and showed that it interacts with numerous nuclear proteins, including some involved in regulating gene expression. Seven of these nuclear partners significantly influenced viral replication, highlighting the importance of NS5s nuclear activity. This work sheds light on how tick-borne orthoflaviviruses manipulate host cells, deepening our understanding of their replication strategies.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Crystallographic characterisation and development of bi-substrate inhibitors of coronavirus nsp14 methyltransferase

SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 14 (nsp14) is essential for viral mRNA cap guanine-N7 methylation and represents a promising but underexplored antiviral target. Herein we describe a structure-guided campaign based on a hit from a focussed SAM mimetic library. Systematic SAR exploration guided by six X-ray co-crystal structures in complex with SARS-CoV-2 led to compound 26, a bi-substrate inhibitor that bridges the SAM and RNA cap binding sites. Compound 26 achieved nanomolar potency against nsp14 from SARS-CoV-2 (IC50 = 53 nM), SARS-CoV-1, and two alphacoronaviruses, with excellent selectivity over human RNMT and flaviviral MTase. In general, the compounds demonstrated favourable metabolic stability, passive permeability, and no HepG2 cytotoxicity. However, cellular antiviral activity was limited, revealing disconnects between enzyme inhibition and phenotypic response. These findings provide a structural framework for optimizing bi-substrate methyltransferase inhibitors against coronaviruses with a view for pan-coronaviral activity.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2025

RABV L protein plays a role in immune escape through its methyltransferase activity

Viruses in the Mononegavirales order encode a large protein that orchestrates replication, transcription, and the capping of viral RNA. This protein, comprising over 2.000 amino acids, contains an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, a capping domain, and a methyltransferase (MTase) domain involved in methylating the cap structure. The MTase domain features a conserved K-D-K-E catalytic tetrad -typical of 2'O-methyltransferases-which is essential for methylating viral mRNA caps at both the N7 and 2'O positions. However, the role of these residues in other epitranscriptomic modifications of rabies virus (RABV) RNAs remains poorly characterized. To further explore the role of mRNA cap methylation in the immune evasion strategies of RABV, we investigated the functional contribution of the K-D-K-E motif within the MTase domain, using the Thai isolate as a model. Using reverse genetics, we demonstrated that the mutation K1830R in the K-D-K-E tetrad of the Tha MTase domain induces changes in the methylation landscape of viral mRNAs and, intriguingly, of host mRNAs. In addition, viruses harbouring the K1830R mutation are more sensitive to interferon- and exhibit a less pathogenic phenotype in vitro and in vivo compared to the wild-type virus. Overall, these results suggest that the regulation of viral and cellular RNA methylation landscapes plays a crucial role in controlling RABV infection. Although the exact role of these epitranscriptomic modifications is not yet fully understood, some of these methylations appear to have proviral effects and enhance viral propagation by allowing RABV to efficiently evade the hosts antiviral response. ImportanceThis study highlights the pivotal role of the K-D-K-E catalytic domain included in the methyltransferase domain of the large protein of Rabies virus, by modelling viral RNAs with epitranscriptomic changes. For the first time, we identify specific methylations on the viral RNA, such as 2-O and m6A methylations, which seem to enable the virus to mask its RNA and evade detection by the hosts pattern recognition receptors. These epitranscriptomic modifications affect not only viral RNAs but also cellular RNAs, underscoring a complex interplay between viral and host mechanisms. We further demonstrate that RABV harbouring an altered K-D-R-E catalytic domain, exhibit differential methylation patterns correlated with increased sensitivity to IFN and lower pathogenicity. This emphasizes the importance of this domain in virulence and immune evasion.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Can Plitidepsin Be Used as an Antiviral Against RSV?

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a main cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections in infants, the elderly and the immunocompromised patients. Although vaccines have recently been approved for the elderly and for pregnant women, there is no curative treatment for HRSV. HRSV replicates in the cytoplasm of infected cells, and transcription and replication of the viral genome depend on the viral RNA polymerase complex, which recruits cellular factors for RNA synthesis. Among them, the eucaryotic translation elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) was previously shown to be critical for HRSV replication. eEF1A activity can be inhibited by plitidepsin (Aplidin), a cyclopeptide extracted from ascidian Aplidium albicans, which was shown highly potent against SARS-CoV-2, with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC90) of 0.70 to 1.62 nM depending on the cell line. Here, we investigated whether plitidepsin could also inhibit HRSV replication. We found that plitidepsin inhibited HRSV replication with an IC50 of {approx}3 nM in cell cultures. However, further investigation revealed that plitidepsin has pleiotropic effects, affecting the translation of both cellular and viral proteins in a similar manner. Overall, our results show that plitidepsin blocks cellular translation and indicate that plitidepsin induces a proteasome-mediated degradation of eEF1A, also showing the dependance of HRSV replication to cellular factors such as eEF1A. These results thus highlight an original mechanism of action of plitidepsin on eEF1A, which render the use of this compound for antiviral therapy very risky.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Tick-borne flavivirus NS5 antagonizes interferon signaling by inhibiting the catalytic activity of TYK2

The mechanisms utilized by different flaviviruses to evade antiviral functions of interferons are varied and incompletely understood. Using virological approaches, biochemical assays and mass spectrometry analysis, we report here that the NS5 protein of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Louping Ill virus (LIV), two related tick-borne flaviviruses, antagonize JAK-STAT signaling through interactions with tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2). Co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) experiments, yeast gap-repair assays, computational protein-protein docking and functional studies identified a stretch of 10 residues of the RNA dependent RNA polymerase domain of tick-borne flavivirus NS5, but not mosquito-borne NS5, that is critical for interaction with the TYK2 kinase domain. Additional co-IP assays performed with several TYK2 orthologs revealed that the interaction was conserved across mammal species. In vitro kinase assays showed that TBEV and LIV NS5 reduced the catalytic activity of TYK2. Our results thus illustrate a novel mechanism by which viruses suppress the interferon response. TeaserInhibition of the catalytic activity of a key kinase of the JAK/STAT pathway by a viral protein

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Implications of Spike-glycoprotein processing at S1/S2 by Furin, at S2' by Furin and/or TMPRSS2 and shedding of ACE2: cell-to-cell fusion, cell entry and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2

Disclaimer StatementThe author has withdrawn this manuscript due to a duplicate posting of manuscript number 423106. Therefore, the author does not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author (Nabil G. Seidah at seidahn@ircm.qc.ca.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2021

Structure-function analysis of the nsp14 N7-guanine methyltransferase reveals an essential role in betacoronavirus replication

As coronaviruses (CoVs) replicate in the host cell cytoplasm, they rely on their own capping machinery to ensure the efficient translation of their mRNAs, protect them from degradation by cellular 5 exoribonucleases, and escape innate immune sensing. The CoV nonstructural protein 14 (nsp14) is a bi-functional replicase subunit harboring an N-terminal 3'-to-5' exoribonuclease (ExoN) domain and a C-terminal (N7-guanine)-methyltransferase (N7-MTase) domain that is presumably involved in viral mRNA capping. Here, we aimed to integrate structural, biochemical, and virological data to assess the importance of conserved N7-MTase residues for nsp14s enzymatic activities and virus viability. We revisited the crystal structure of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV nsp14 to perform an in silico comparative analysis between betacoronaviruses. We identified several residues likely involved in the formation of the N7-MTase catalytic pocket, which presents a fold distinct from the Rossmann fold observed in most known MTases. Next, for SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome-CoV, site-directed mutagenesis of selected residues was used to assess their importance for in vitro enzymatic activity. Most of the engineered mutations abolished N7-MTase activity, while not affecting nsp14-ExoN activity. Upon reverse engineering of these mutations into different betacoronavirus genomes, we identified two substitutions (R310A and F426A in SARS-CoV nsp14) abrogating virus viability and one mutation (H424A) yielding a crippled phenotype across all viruses tested. Our results identify the N7-MTase as a critical enzyme for betacoronavirus replication and define key residues of its catalytic pocket that can be targeted to design inhibitors with a potential pan-coronaviral activity spectrum. Significance StatementThe ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic emphasizes the urgent need to develop efficient broad-spectrum anti-CoV drugs. The structure-function characterization of conserved CoV replicative enzymes is key to identifying the most suitable drug targets. Using a multidisciplinary comparative approach and different betacoronaviruses, we characterized the key conserved residues of the nsp14 (N7-guanine)-methyltransferase, a poorly defined subunit of the CoV mRNA-synthesizing machinery. Our study highlights the unique structural features of this enzyme and establishes its essential role in betacoronavirus replication, while identifying two residues that are critical for the replication of the four betacoronaviruses tested, including SARS-CoV-2.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Fluoxetine targets an allosteric site in the enterovirus 2C AAA+ ATPase and stabilizes the hexameric complex

The enterovirus genus encompasses many clinically important human pathogens such as poliovirus, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, numbered enteroviruses and rhinoviruses. These viruses are the etiological agents of several human diseases, including hand-foot-and-mouth disease, neonatal sepsis, encephalitis, meningitis, paralysis and respiratory infections. There is an unmet need for antivirals to treat these diseases. The non-structural protein 2C is a AAA+ helicase and plays a key role in viral replication. As such, it is an attractive target for antiviral drug development. Several repurposing screens with FDA-approved drugs have identified 2C-targeting compounds such as fluoxetine and dibucaine, but the molecular basis of 2C inhibition has remained enigmatic. Here we present the 1.5 [A] resolution crystal structure of the soluble fragment of coxsackievirus B3 2C protein in complex with (S)-fluoxetine (SFX), which reveals a conserved, hydrophobic drug-binding pocket which is distal to the ATP binding site. To decipher the molecular mechanism of inhibition by fluoxetine and other 2C-targeting compounds, we engineered a soluble, hexameric and ATPase competent 2C protein. Using this system, we show that SFX, dibucaine, HBB and guanidine hydrochloride inhibit 2C ATPase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, using cryo-EM analysis, we demonstrate that SFX and dibucaine lock 2C in a defined hexameric state, rationalizing their mode of inhibition and allowing us to generate the first reconstruction of the oligomeric complex. Taken together, these results provide important structural and mechanistic insights into 2C inhibition and provide a robust engineering strategy which can be used for structural, functional and drug-screening analysis of 2C proteins from current or future enteroviruses.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

A high-throughput fluorescence polarization assay to discover inhibitors of arenavirus and coronavirus exoribonucleases

Viral exoribonucleases are uncommon in the world of RNA viruses. To date, this activity has been identified only in the Arenaviridae and the Coronaviridae families. These exoribonucleases play important but different roles in both families: for mammarenaviruses the exoribonuclease is involved in the suppression of the host immune response whereas for coronaviruses, exoribonuclease is both involved in a proofreading mechanism ensuring the genetic stability of viral genomes and participating to evasion of the host innate immunity. Because of their key roles, they constitute attractive targets for drug development. Here we present a high-throughput assay using fluorescence polarization to assess the viral exoribonuclease activity and its inhibition. We validate the assay using three different viral enzymes from SARS-CoV-2, lymphocytic choriomeningitis and Machupo viruses. The method is sensitive, robust, amenable to miniaturization (384 well plates) and allowed us to validate the proof-of-concept of the assay by screening a small focused compounds library (23 metal chelators). We also determined the IC50 of one inhibitor common to the three viruses. HighlightsO_LIArenaviridae and Coronaviridae viral families share an exoribonuclease activity of common evolutionary origin C_LIO_LIArenaviridae and Coronaviridae exoribonuclease is an attractive target for drug development C_LIO_LIWe present a high-throughput assay in 384 well-plates for the screening of inhibitors using fluorescence polarization C_LIO_LIWe validated the assay by screening of a focused library of 23 metal chelators against SARS-CoV-2, Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis virus and Machupo virus exoribonucleases C_LIO_LIWe determined the IC50 by fluorescence polarization of one inhibitor common to the three viruses. C_LI

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2021

Protein-primed RNA synthesis in SARS-CoVs and structural basis for inhibition by AT-527

How viruses from the Coronaviridae family initiate viral RNA synthesis is unknown. Here we show that the SARS-CoV-1 and -2 Nidovirus RdRp-Associated Nucleotidyltransferase (NiRAN) domain on nsp12 uridylates the viral cofactor nsp8, forming a UMP-Nsp8 covalent intermediate that subsequently primes RNA synthesis from a poly(A) template; a protein-priming mechanism reminiscent of Picornaviridae enzymes. In parallel, the RdRp active site of nsp12 synthesizes a pppGpU primer, which primes (-)ssRNA synthesis at the precise genome-poly(A) junction. The guanosine analogue 5-triphosphate AT-9010 (prodrug: AT-527) tightly binds to the NiRAN and inhibits both nsp8-labeling and the initiation of RNA synthesis. A 2.98 [A] resolution Cryo-EM structure of the SARS-CoV-2 nsp12-nsp7-(nsp8)2 /RNA/NTP quaternary complex shows AT-9010 simultaneously binds to both NiRAN and RdRp active site of nsp12, blocking their respective activities. AT-527 is currently in phase II clinical trials, and is a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-1 and -2, representing a promising drug for COVID-19 treatment.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2020

Furin cleaves SARS-CoV-2 spike-glycoprotein at S1/S2 and S2'for viral fusion/entry: indirect role for TMPRSS2

The spike (S)-protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds ACE2 and requires proteolytic "priming" at PRRAR685{downarrow} into S1 and S2 (cleavage at S1/S2), and "fusion-activation" at a S2 site for viral entry. In vitro, Furin cleaved peptides mimicking the S1/S2 cleavage site more efficiently than at the putative S2, whereas TMPRSS2 inefficiently cleaved both sites. In HeLa cells Furin-like enzymes mainly cleaved at S1/S2 during intracellular protein trafficking, and S2 processing by Furin at KPSKR815{downarrow} was strongly enhanced by ACE2, but not for the optimized S2 KRRKR815{downarrow} mutant (S2), whereas individual/double KR815AA mutants were retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. Pharmacological Furin-inhibitors (Boston Pharmaceuticals, BOS-inhibitors) effectively blocked endogenous S-protein processing in HeLa cells. Furthermore, we show using pseudotyped viruses that while entry by a "pH-dependent" endocytosis pathway in HEK293 cells did not require Furin processing at S1/S2, a "pH-independent" viral entry in lung-derived Calu-3 cells was sensitive to inhibitors of Furin (BOS) and TMPRSS2 (Camostat). Consistently, these inhibitors potently reduce infectious viral titer and cytopathic effects, an outcome enhanced when both compounds were combined. Quantitative analyses of cell-to-cell fusion and spike processing revealed the key importance of the Furin sites for syncytia formation. Our assays showed that TMPRSS2 enhances fusion and proteolysis at S2 in the absence of cleavage at S1/S2, an effect that is linked to ACE2 shedding by TMPRSS2. Overall, our results indicate that Furin and TMPRSS2 play synergistic roles in generating fusion-competent S-protein, and in promoting viral entry, supporting the combination of Furin and TMPRSS2 inhibitors as potent antivirals against SARS-CoV-2. IMPORTANCESARS-CoV-2 is the etiological agent of COVID-19 that resulted in >5 million deaths. The spike protein (S) of the virus directs infection of the lungs and other tissues by binding the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. For effective infection, the S-protein is cleaved at two sites: S1/S2 and S2. Cleavage at S1/S2, induces a conformational change favoring the recognition of ACE2. The S2 cleavage is critical for cell-to-cell fusion and virus entry into host cells. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the dynamics of interaction between Furin and TMPRSS2 during SARS-CoV-2 entry and suggests that the combination of a non-toxic Furin inhibitor with a TMPRSS2 inhibitor could significantly reduce viral entry in lung cells, as evidenced by an average synergistic [~]95% reduction of viral infection. This represents a powerful novel antiviral approach to reduce viral spread in individuals infected by SARS-CoV-2 or future related coronaviruses.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2020

Favipiravir strikes the SARS-CoV-2 at its Achilles heel, the RNA polymerase

The ongoing Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has emphasized the urgent need for antiviral therapeutics. The viral RNA-dependent-RNA-polymerase (RdRp) is a promising target with polymerase inhibitors successfully used for the treatment of several viral diseases. Here we show that Favipiravir exerts an antiviral effect as a nucleotide analogue through a combination of chain termination, slowed RNA synthesis and lethal mutagenesis. The SARS-CoV RdRp complex is at least 10-fold more active than any other viral RdRp known. It possesses both unusually high nucleotide incorporation rates and high-error rates allowing facile insertion of Favipiravir into viral RNA, provoking C-to-U and G-to-A transitions in the already low cytosine content SARS-CoV-2 genome. The coronavirus RdRp complex represents an Achilles heel for SARS-CoV, supporting nucleoside analogues as promising candidates for the treatment of COVID-19.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2020

In vitro screening of a FDA approved chemical library reveals potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 replication

A novel coronavirus, named SARS-CoV-2, emerged in 2019 from Hubei region in China and rapidly spread worldwide. As no approved therapeutics exists to treat Covid-19, the disease associated to SARS-Cov-2, there is an urgent need to propose molecules that could quickly enter into clinics. Repurposing of approved drugs is a strategy that can bypass the time consuming stages of drug development. In this study, we screened the Prestwick Chemical Library(R) composed of 1,520 approved drugs in an infected cell-based assay. 90 compounds were identified. The robustness of the screen was assessed by the identification of drugs, such as Chloroquine derivatives and protease inhibitors, already in clinical trials. The hits were sorted according to their chemical composition and their known therapeutic effect, then EC50 and CC50 were determined for a subset of compounds. Several drugs, such as Azithromycine, Opipramol, Quinidine or Omeprazol present antiviral potency with 2<EC50<20{micro}M. By providing new information on molecules inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro, this study could contribute to the short-term repurposing of drugs against Covid-19.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2019

Identification of a Nidovirales Orf1a N7-guanine cap methyltransferase signature-sequence as a genetic marker of large RNA genome Tobaniviridae

Members of the Nidovirales order have (+)RNA genomes amongst the largest in size in the RNA virus world. Expression of their genes is promoted through reading of genomic RNA and mRNA transcripts by the ribosome of the infected cell. The 5-end of these RNAs is supposedly protected by an RNA-cap structure (m7GpppNm) whose most synthesis steps remain elusive. In Eukaryotes, the RNA-cap structure is methylated by RNA methyltransferases (MTases) at the RNA-cap N7-guanine position as well as the 2-O methyl position of the first transcribed nucleotide. In Coronaviridae, two separate enzymes (nsp14 and nsp16) perform the N7-guanine and the 2-OH methylation, respectively. One salient feature of the Nidovirales N7-guanine MTase nsp14 is that it is the only example of non-Rossman fold viral MTase known so far. Conversely, all other Nidovirales nsp16-like MTases have a canonical Rossman fold. Many Nidovirales members lack either any RNA MTase signature sequence (e.g., Arteriviridae), or lack a N7-guanine MTase signature sequence (e.g., Tobaniviridae, Euroniviridae, Roniviridae, Medioniviridae). Both nsp14-and nsp16-like enzyme genes are usually located in Orf1b encoding for the replication machinery. Here, we report the discovery of a putative Rossman fold RNA MTase in the Orf1a of ten Tobaniviridae members. Multiple sequence alignments and structural analyses identify this novel gene as a typical RNA-cap N7-guanine MTase with substrate specificity and active-site organization similar to the canonical eukaryotic RNA-cap N7-guanine MTase.

bioinformatics↗