Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. 2′-O-RNA methyltransferase (MTase) is one of the enzymes of this virus that is a potential target for antiviral therapy as it is crucial for RNA cap formation; an essential process for viral RNA stability. This MTase function is associated with the nsp16 protein, which requires a cofactor, nsp10, for its proper activity. Here we show the crystal structure of the nsp10-nsp16 complex bound to the pan-MTase inhibitor sinefungin in the active site. Our structural comparisons reveal low conservation of the MTase catalytic site between Zika and SARS-CoV-2 viruses, but high conservation of the MTase active site between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV viruses; these data suggest that the preparation of MTase inhibitors targeting several coronaviruses - but not flaviviruses - should be feasible. Together, our data add to important information for structure-based drug discovery.

G-Rich DNA and RNA have a higher propensity to form G-quadruplex structures, but the presence of G-runs alone is not sufficient to prove that such sequences can form stable G-quadruplexes. While G-rich sequences are essential for G-quadruplex formation, not all G-rich sequences have the propensity to form G-quadruplex structures. In addition, monovalent metal ions, dehydrating agents, and loop sequences connecting the G-runs also play important roles in the topology of G-quadruplex folding. To date, no quantitative analysis of the CD spectra of G-quadruplexes in confrontation with the electrophoretic results has been performed. Therefore, in this study, we use information gained through the analysis of a series of well-known G-quadruplex-forming sequences to evaluate other less-studied sets of aptameric sequences. A simple and cost-effective methodology that can verify the formation of G-quadruplex motifs from oligomeric DNA sequences and a technique to determine the molecularity of these structures are also described. This methodology could be of great use in the prediction of G-quadruplex assembly, and the basic principles of our techniques can be extrapolated for any G-rich DNA sequences. This study also presents a model that can predict the multimerization of G-quadruplexes; the predictions offered by this model are shown to match the results obtained using circular dichroism.

Coronaviral methyltransferases (MTases), nsp10/16 and nsp14, catalyze the last two steps of viral RNA-cap creation that takes place in cytoplasm. This cap is essential for the stability of viral RNA and, most importantly, for the evasion of innate immune system. Non-capped RNA is recognized by innate immunity which leads to its degradation and the activation of antiviral immunity. As a result, both coronaviral MTases are in the center of scientific scrutiny. Recently, X-ray and cryo-EM structures of both enzymes were solved even in complex with other parts of the viral replication complex. High-throughput screening as well as structure-guided inhibitor design have led to the discovery of their potent inhibitors. Here, we critically summarize the tremendous advancement of the coronaviral MTase field since the beginning of COVID pandemic.

ESCRTing lenses away from senescence ESCRT proteins control membrane fusion in various key cellular processes, but the mechanisms involved are still incompletely understood. Gulluni et al . report that ESCRT recruitment at the cytokinetic bridge is mediated by the binding of an ESCRT-II subunit to the signaling lipid phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate (see the Perspective by Brill and Wilde). This pathway acts in parallel to a known cascade driven by a protein called ALIX, but its failure is sufficient to lead to premature senescence in the lens of fish, mouse, and human eyes, where ALIX is expressed at lower levels. These results point to an evolutionarily conserved pathway for the cell-specific control of cytokinesis that serves to protect from senescence and the early onset of cataracts. —SMH