Structure-Altering Mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 Frame Shifting RNA Element

Abstract

With the rapid rate of Covid-19 infections and deaths, treatments and cures besides hand washing, social distancing, masks, isolation, and quarantines are urgently needed. The treatments and vaccines rely on the basic biophysics of the complex viral apparatus. While proteins are serving as main drug and vaccine targets, therapeutic approaches targeting the 30,000 nucleotide RNA viral genome form important complementary approaches. Indeed, the high conservation of the viral genome, its close evolutionary relationship to other viruses, and the rise of gene editing and RNA-based vaccines all argue for a focus on the RNA agent itself. One of the key steps in the viral replication cycle inside host cells is the ribosomal frameshifting required for translation of overlapping open reading frames. The frameshifting element (FSE), one of three highly conserved regions of coronaviruses, includes an RNA pseudoknot considered essential for this ribosomal switching. In this work, we apply our graph-theory-based framework for representing RNA secondary structures, “RAG” (RNA-As Graphs), to alter key structural features of the FSE of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Specifically, using RAG machinery of genetic algorithms for inverse folding adapted for RNA structures with pseudoknots, we computationally predict minimal mutations that destroy a structurally-important stem and/or the pseudoknot of the FSE, potentially dismantling the virus against translation of the polyproteins. Additionally, our microsecond molecular dynamics simulations of mutant structures indicate relatively stable secondary structures. These findings not only advance our computational design of RNAs containing pseudoknots; they pinpoint to key residues of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as targets for anti-viral drugs and gene editing approaches.SIGNIFICANCESince the outbreak of Covid-19, numerous projects were launched to discover drugs and vaccines. Compared to protein-focused approaches, targeting the RNA genome, especially highly conserved crucial regions, can destruct the virus life cycle more fundamentally and avoid problems of viral mutations. We choose to target the small frame-shifting element (FSE) embedded in the Open Reading Frame 1a,b of SARS-CoV-2. This FSE is essential for translating overlapping reading frames and thus controlling the viral protein synthesis pathway. By applying graph-theory-based computational algorithms, we identify structurally crucial residues in the FSE as potential targets for anti-viral drugs and gene editing.

Sterically confined rearrangements of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein control cell invasion

“…The need to isolate the molecular constituents that govern SARS-CoV-2 dynamics is widely recognized, where the global scientific community has undergone its most rapid transformation in recent history. This unprecedented redirection of scientific inquiry has provided atomic-resolution structures of SARS-CoV-2 proteins at various stages of infection (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6), as well as computational analysis of specific conformational states (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). Despite these advances, our understanding of the mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 enters the host cell is limited.…”

“…The need to isolate the molecular constituents that govern SARS-CoV-2 dynamics is widely recognized, where the global scientific community has undergone its most rapid transformation in recent history. This unprecedented redirection of scientific inquiry has rapidly provided atomic-resolution structures of SARS-CoV-2 proteins at various stages of infection ( Wrapp et al, 2020 ; Walls et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2020 ; Lan et al, 2020 ; Yuan et al, 2020 ; Watanabe et al, 2020a ), as well as computational analysis of specific conformational states ( Casalino et al, 2020 ; Schlick et al, 2020 ; Roy et al, 2020 ; Ali and Vijayan, 2020 ; Verkhivker, 2020 ; Shin et al, 2020 ; Turoňová et al, 2020 ). Despite these advances, our understanding of the mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 enters the host cell is limited.…”

A short review on nanotechnology interventions against COVID-19

“…Viruses are produced by a self-assembly process having a core shell nanostructure and are metastable in nature. In the SARS CoV-2, RNA material is complexed with a protein shell [4]. The name coronavirus comes from the fact that it has a protruding spike-like protein structure which encapsulates the lipid bilayer membrane [5].…”

Sterically-Confined Rearrangements of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Control Cell Invasion

“…The need to isolate the molecular constituents that govern SARS-CoV-2 dynamics is widely recognized, where the global scientific community has undergone its most rapid transformation in recent history. This unprecedented redirection of scientific inquiry has provided atomic-resolution structures of SARS-CoV-2 proteins at various stages of infection (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6), as well as computational analysis of specific conformational states (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). Despite these advances, our understanding of the mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 enters the host cell is limited.…”