Mechanism of reaction of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase from SARS-CoV-2

TitleMechanism of reaction of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase from SARS-CoV-2
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsAranda, Juan, Wieczór Milosz, Terrazas Montserrat, Brun-Heath Isabelle, and Orozco Modesto
JournalChem Catalysis
Volume2
Start Page1084
Issue5
Pagination1099
Date Published05/2022
ISBN Number2667-1093
Keywordsantivirals, Biocatalysis, free energy calculations, QM/MM, reaction mechanism, remdesivir, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, SARS-CoV-2, viral replication
Abstract

SummaryWe combine molecular dynamics, statistical mechanics, and hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics simulations to describe mechanistically the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Our study analyzes the binding mode of both natural triphosphate substrates as well as remdesivir triphosphate (the active form of drug), which is bound preferentially over ATP by RdRp while being poorly recognized by human RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II). A comparison of incorporation rates between natural and antiviral nucleotides shows that remdesivir is incorporated more slowly into the nascent RNA compared with ATP, leading to an RNA duplex that is structurally very similar to an unmodified one, arguing against the hypothesis that remdesivir is a competitive inhibitor of ATP. We characterize the entire mechanism of reaction, finding that viral RdRp is highly processive and displays a higher catalytic rate of incorporation than human RNA Pol II. Overall, our study provides the first detailed explanation of the replication mechanism of RdRp.

URLhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667109322001646
Short TitleChem Catalysis
Highlight: 
Review: