A Crystallographic Snapshot of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Maturation Process.
J Mol Biol
; 433(18): 167118, 2021 09 03.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34174328
ABSTRACT
SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19. The dimeric form of the viral Mpro is responsible for the cleavage of the viral polyprotein in 11 sites, including its own N and C-terminus. The lack of structural information for intermediary forms of Mpro is a setback for the understanding its self-maturation process. Herein, we used X-ray crystallography combined with biochemical data to characterize multiple forms of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. For the immature form, we show that extra N-terminal residues caused conformational changes in the positioning of domain-three over the active site, hampering the dimerization and diminishing its activity. We propose that this form preludes the cis and trans-cleavage of N-terminal residues. Using fragment screening, we probe new cavities in this form which can be used to guide therapeutic development. Furthermore, we characterized a serine site-directed mutant of the Mpro bound to its endogenous N and C-terminal residues during dimeric association stage of the maturation process. We suggest this form is a transitional state during the C-terminal trans-cleavage. This data sheds light in the structural modifications of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease during its self-maturation process.
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Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Peptídeo Hidrolases
/
Proteínas Virais
/
SARS-CoV-2
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Mol Biol
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Brasil