Predictions in Clinical Efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase (RdRp) Inhibitors by Molecular Docking

This study utilizes the enzyme-substrate complex theory to predict the clinical efficacy of COVID-19 treatments at the biological systems level, using molecular docking stability indicators. Experimental data from the Protein Data Bank and molecular structures generated by AlphaFold 3 were used to create macromolecular complex templates. Six templates were developed, including the holo nsp7-nsp8-nsp12 (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase) complex with dsRNA primers (holo-RdRp-RNA). The study evaluated several ligands—Favipiravir-RTP, Remdesivir, Abacavir, Ribavirin, and Oseltamivir—as potential viral RNA polymerase inhibitors. Notably, the first four of these ligands have been clinically employed in the treatment of COVID-19, allowing for comparative analysis. Molecular docking simulations were performed using AutoDock 4, and statistical differences were assessed through t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests. A review of the literature on COVID-19 treatment outcomes and inhibitors targeting RNA polymerase enzymes was conducted, and the inhibitors were ranked according to their clinical efficacy: Remdesivir > Favipiravir-RTP > Oseltamivir. Docking results obtained from the second and third templates aligned with clinical observations. Furthermore, Abacavir demonstrated a predicted efficacy comparable to Favipiravir-RTP, while Ribavirin exhibited a predicted efficacy similar to that of Remdesivir. This research, focused on inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, establishes a framework for screening AI-generated drug templates based on clinical outcomes. Additionally, it develops a drug screening platform based on molecular docking binding energy, enabling the evaluation of novel or repurposed drugs and potentially accelerating the drug development process.

Analysis of RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Sequence of Infectious Flacherie Virus Isolated in China and Its Expression in BmN Cells

Full gene sequence of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase （RdRp） from Bombyx mori infectious flacherie virus isolated in Zhejiang Province, China （Zhejiang01/CHN/2002） was cloned. The sequence was 1 920 nucleotides in length coding 639 amino acid residues. Sequences comparison of RdRp showed Zhejiang01/CHN/2002 was 99.7% nucleotide sequence and 99.1% amino acids sequence homology with Japanese strain. The RdRp sequence was aligned with 8 representative picorna（-like） viruses and 8 highly conserved regions were detected. The result indicated their relevance function. Phylogenetic tree of 14 picorna（-like） viruses which RdRp presumed protein sequences revealed that the viruses from Iflavirus genus formed an independent clade. The RdRp was successfully expressed in BmN cells using Bac-to-Bac expression system.

Crystal structures of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases from Jingmen tick virus and Alongshan virus

Jingmenviruses are a group of flavi-like viruses with segmented genome and have been found in various types of hosts,including humans,cattle,monkeys,bats,rodents,sheep,ticks,mosquitoes and nematodes.Jingmenviruses,including the Jingmen tick virus(JMTV)and Alongshan virus(ALSV),have been associated with febrile illness and flu-like symptoms in humans.Viral polymerase plays critical roles in genome replication and transcription and is an ideal target for antiviral drugs.Here,we determined the crystal structures of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase(RdRp)domains of JMTV and ALSV at 2.6Åand 3.2Åresolutions,respectively.The overall structures of JMTV and ALSV RdRp domains are similar to those from the typical unsegmented viruses in Flaviviridae family,especially the Flavivirus genus.JMTV and ALSV RdRps can be divided into three subdomains and the catalytical Motif A-G are conserved like the typical flaviviruses,whereas the zinc-binding pockets are absent from the JMTV and ALSV RdRps.The 50-ends of jingmenvirus genomes are varied in length and sequence,and a highly conserved 8-nucleotide element located on the tip of stem loop A was identified and shown to be required for binding with RdRp and performing de novo replication activity.These findings provide important structural insights into RdRp of segmented flavivirus and reveal the key region of virus genome responsible for replication initiation,which would promote molecular understanding of segmented flavivirus replication and the structure-based design of antiviral drugs against flaviviruses.

Structures of EV71 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in complex with substrate and analogue provide a drug target against the hand-foot-and-mouth disease pandemic in China

Enterovirus 71(EV71),one of the major causative agents for hand-foot-and-mouth disease(HFMD),has caused more than 100 deaths among Chinese children since March 2008.The EV71 genome encodes an RNAdependent RNA polymerase(RdRp),denoted 3D^(pol),which is central for viral genome replication and is a key target for the discovery of specific antiviral therapeutics.Here we report the crystal structures of EV71 RdRp(3D^(pol))and in complex with substrate guanosine-5'-triphosphate and analog 5-bromouridine-5'-triphosphate best to 2.4Åresolution.The structure of EV71 RdRp(3D^(pol))has a wider open thumb domain compared with the most closely related crystal structure of poliovirus RdRp.And the EV71 RdRp(3D^(pol))complex with GTP or Br-UTP bounded shows two distinct movements of the polymerase by substrate or analogue binding.The model of the complex with the template:primer derived by superimposition with foot-and-mouth disease virus(FMDV)3D/RNA complex reveals the likely recognition and binding of template:primer RNA by the polymerase.These results together provide a molecular basis for EV71 RNA replication and reveal a potential target for anti-EV71 drug discovery.

Crystal structure of the coxsackievirus A16 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase elongation complex reveals novel features in motif A dynamics

Dear Editor, Coxsackievirus A16 （CV A16） and enterovirus 71 （EV71） are currently the two primary causative agents of hand- foot-and-mouth disease （HFMD） （Solomon et al., 2010; Mao et al., 2014）, threatening health of children world- wide. They both belong to the Enterovirus genus of the Picornaviridae family, and have single-stranded positive- sense RNA genomes of about 7.5 kilobases （kb） in length. As with other positive-strand RNA viruses, the genome rep- lication process ofCV A16 is carried out by a membrane- associated replication complex with the virally encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase （RdRP） as the essential catalytic enzyme.

Unusual substructure conformations observed in crystal structures of a dicistrovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase suggest contribution of the N-terminal extension in proper folding

The Dicistroviridae is a virus family that includes many insect pathogens.These viruses contain a positive-sense RNA genome that is replicated by the virally encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase(RdRP)also named 3D^(pol).Compared with the Picornaviridae RdRPs such as poliovirus(PV)3D^(pol),the Dicistroviridae representative Israeli acute paralysis virus(IAPV)3D^(pol) has an additional N-terminal extension(NE)region that is about 40-residue in length.To date,both the structure and catalytic mechanism of the Dicistroviridae RdRP have remain elusive.Here we reported crystal structures of two truncated forms of IAPV 3D^(pol),namelyΔ85 andΔ40,both missing the NE region,and the 3D^(pol) protein in these structures exhibited three conformational states.The palm and thumb domains of these IAPV 3D^(pol) structures are largely consistent with those of the PV 3D^(pol) structures.However,in all structures,the RdRP fingers domain is partially disordered,while different conformations of RdRP substructures and interactions between them are also present.In particular,a large-scale conformational change occurred in the motif B-middle finger region in one protein chain of theΔ40 structure,while a previously documented alternative conformation of motif A was observed in all IAPV structures.These experimental data on one hand show intrinsic conformational variances of RdRP substructures,and on the other hand suggest possible contribution of the NE region in proper RdRP folding in IAPV.

RNA-DEPENDENT RNA POLYMERASE ASSOCIATED WITH WHEAT ROSETTE STUNT VIRIONS

Wheat rosette stunt virus (WRSV) contains an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The RNA polymerase activity is associated with the viral nucleocapsid (NP).In vitro transcription of purified NP required all of the four nucleoside triphosphates and Mg^(2+).There was a need of a proper salt concentration and some reducing reagents in the system for increasing the RNA polymerase activity.The optimum temperature for in vitro transcription was around 25℃.Within the first 90 min of in vitro reaction, incorporation rose linearly with the time course of incubation. The experiments of ribonuclease and deoxyribonuclease treatments showed that single-stranded RNAs were synthesized in vitro by the RNA polymerase.Two fractions of WRSV-NP could be separated by SDS-dissociation and ultracentrifugation.The supernatant fraction contained three structural proteins of NP: L, N and NS;and the pellet fraction contained the viral RNA.When the supernatant proteins and the viral RNA were mixed together, RNA polymerase activity could be reconstituted.When the ratio between the amounts of the supernatant proteins and the viral RNA in the mixture was about 100:7.7, the reconstituted RNA polymerase activity reached the maximum.

Alternative Role of Motif B in Template Dependent Polymerase Inhibition

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-Co V-2) relies on the central molecular machine RNA-dependent RNA polymerase(Rd Rp) for the viral replication and transcription. Remdesivir at the template strand has been shown to effectively inhibit the RNA synthesis in SARS-Co V-2 Rd Rp by deactivating not only the complementary UTP incorporation but also the next nucleotide addition. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of the second inhibitory point remains unclear. In this work, we have performed molecular dynamics simulations and demonstrated that such inhibition has not directly acted on the nucleotide addition at the active site. Instead, the translocation of Remdesivir from +1 to-1 site is hindered thermodynamically as the posttranslocation state is less stable than the pre-translocation state due to the motif B residue G683. Moreover, another conserved residue S682 on motif B further hinders the dynamic translocation of Remdesivir due to the steric clash with the 1′-cyano substitution. Overall,our study has unveiled an alternative role of motif B in mediating the translocation when Remdesivir is present in the template strand and complemented our understanding about the inhibitory mechanisms exerted by Remdesivir on the RNA synthesis in SARS-Co V-2 Rd Rp.

Systematic identification of endogenous RNA polymeraseⅢpromoters for efficient RNA guidebased genome editing technologies in maize

Single-guide RNA(sg RNA) is one of the two core components of the CRISPR(clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)/Cas(CRISPR-associated) genome-editing technology. We established an in vitro Traffic Light Reporter(TLR) system, which is designated as the same colors as traffic lights such as green, red and yellow were produced in cells. The TLR can be readily used in maize mesophyll protoplast for a quick test of promoter activity. The TLR assay indicates the variation in transcription activities of the seven Pol III promoters, from 3.4%(U6-1) to over 21.0%(U6-6). The U6-2 promoter, which was constructed to drive sg RNA expression targeting the Zm Wx1 gene, yielded mutation efficiencies ranging from 48.5% to 97.1%. Based on the reported and unpublished data, the in vitro TLR assay results were confirmed to be a readily system and may be extended to other plant species amenable to efficient genome editing via CRISPR/Cas. Our efforts provide an efficient method of identifying native Pol III-recognized promoters for RNA guide-based genome-editing systems in maize.

The VP2 protein of grass carp reovirus(GCRV) expressed in a baculovirus exhibits RNA polymerase activity

The double-shelled grass carp reovirus （GCRV） is capable of endogenous RNA transcription and processing.Genome sequence analysis has revealed that the protein VP2,encoded by gene segment 2 （S2）,is the putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase （RdRp）.In previous work,we have ex-pressed the functional region of VP2 that is associated with RNA polymerase activity （denoted as rVP2390-900） in E.coil and have prepared a polyclonal antibody against VP2.To characterize the GCRV RNA polymerase,a recombinant full-length VP2 （rVP2） was first constructed and expressed in a baculovirus system,as a fusion protein with an attached His-tag.Immunofluorescence （IF） assays,together with immunoblot （IB） analyses from both expressed cell extracts and purified Histagged rVP2,showed that rVP2 was successfully expressed in Sf9 cells.Further characterization of the replicase activity showed that purified rVP2 and GCRV particles exhibited poly（C）-dependent poly（G） polymerase activity.The RNA enzymatic activity required the divalent cation Mg2＋,and was optimal at 28 ℃.The results provide a foundation for further studies on the RNA polymerases of aquareoviruses during viral transcription and replication.

Hordatines as a Potential Inhibitor of COVID-19 Main Protease and RNA Polymerase: An In-Silico Approach

Total 40 natural compounds were selected to perform the molecular docking studies to screen and identify the potent antiviral agents specifically for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 that causes coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).The key targets of COVID-19,protease(PDB ID:7BQY)and RNA polymerase(PDB ID:7bV2)were used to dock our target compounds by Molecular Operating Environment(MOE)version 2014.09.We used 3 different conformations of protease target(6M0K,6Y2F and 7BQY)and two different score functions to strengthen the probability of inhibitors discovery.After an extensive screening analysis,20 compounds exhibit good binding affinities to one or both COVID-19 targets.7 out of 20 compounds were predicted to overcome the activity of both targets.The top 7 hits are,flacourticin(3),sagerinic acid(16),hordatine A(23),hordatine B(24),N-feruloyl tyramine dimer(25),bisavenanthramides B-5(29)and vulnibactins(40).According to our results,all these top hits was found to have a better binding scores than remdesivir,the native ligand in RNA polymerase target(PDB ID:7bV2).Hordatines are phenolic compounds present in barley,were found to exhibit the highest binding affinity to both protease and polymerase through forming strong hydrogen bonds with the catalytic residues,as well as significant interactions with other receptor-binding residues.These results probably provided an excellent lead candidate for the development of therapeutic drugs against COVID-19.Eventually,animal experiment and accurate clinical trials are needed to confirm the preventive potentials of these compounds.

Brownian ratchet mechanism of translocation in T7 RNA polymerase facilitated by a post-translocation energy bias arising from the conformational change of the enzyme

T7 RNA polymerase can transcribe DNA to RNA by translocating along the DNA. Structural studies suggest that the pivoting rotation of the O helix in the fingers domain may drive the movement of the O helix C-terminal Tyr639 from pre- to post-translocation positions. In a series of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we show that the movement of Tyr639 is not tightly coupled to the rotation of the O helix, and that the two processes are only weakly dependent on each other. We also show that the internal potential of the enzyme itself generates a small difference in free energy （△E） between the post- and pre-translocation positions of Tyr639. The calculated value of △E is consistent with that obtained from single-molecule experimental data. These findings lend support to a model in which the translocation takes place via a Brownian ratchet mechanism, with the small free energy bias △E arising from the conformational change of the enzyme itself.

An intermediate state of T7 RNA polymerase provides another pathway of nucleotide selection

Phage T7 RNA polymerase is a single-subunit transcription enzyme, transcribing template DNA to RNA. Nucleoside triphosphate （NTP） selection and translocation are two critical steps of the transcription elongation. Here, using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we found that between pre- and post-translocation states of T7 RNA polymerase an intermediate state exists, where the O helix C-terminal residue tyrosine 639, which plays important roles in translocation, locates between its pre- and post-translocation positions and the side chain of the next template DNA nucleotide has moved into the active site. NTP selection in this intermediate state was studied, revealing that the selection in the intermediate state can be achieved relying on the effect of Watson-Crick interaction between NTP and template DNA nucleotide, effect of stability of the components near the active site such as the nascent DNA-RNA hybrid and role of tyrosine 639. This indicates that another NTP-selection pathway can also exist besides the main pathway where NTP selection begins at the post-translocation state upon the entry of NTE

Probing conformational change of T7 RNA polymerase and DNA complex by solid-state nanopores

Proteins are crucial to most biological processes, such as enzymes, and in various catalytic processes a dynamic motion is required. The dynamics of protein are embodied as a conformational change, which is closely related to the flexibility of protein. Recently, nanopore sensors have become accepted as a low cost and high throughput method to study the features of proteins. In this article, we used a SiN nanopore device to study the flexibility of T7 RNA polymerase（RNAP） and its complex with DNA promoter. By calculating full-width at half-maximum（FWHM） of Gaussian fits to the blockade histograms, we found that T7 RNAP becomes more flexible after binding DNA promoter. Moreover, the distribution of fractional current blockade suggests that flexibility alters due to a breath-like change of the volume.

Snapshots of a Viral RNA Polymerase Switching Gears from Transcription Initiation to Elongation

During transcription initiation,RNA polymerase binds tightly to the promoter DNA defining the start of transcription,transcribes comparatively slowly,and frequently releases short transcripts(3-8 nucleotides)in a process called abortive cycling.Transitioning to elongation,the second phase of transcription,the polymerase dissociates from the promoter while RNA synthesis continues.Elongation is characterized by higher rates of transcription and tight binding to the RNA transcript.The RNA polymerase from enterophage T7 (T7 RNAP) has been used as a model to understand the mechanism of transcription in general,and the transition from initiation to elongation specifically.This single-subunit enzyme undergoes dramatic conformational changes during this transition to support the changing requirements of nucleic acid interactions while continuously maintaining polymerase function.Crystal structures,available of multiple stages of the initiation complex and of the elongation complex,combined with biochemical and biophysical data,offer molecular detail of the transition.Some of the crystal structures contain a variant of T7 RNAP where proline 266 is substituted by leucine.This variant shows less abortive products and altered timing of transition,and is a valuable tool to study these processes.The structural transitions from early to late initiation are well understood and are consistent with solution data.The timing of events and the structural intermediates in the transition from late initiation to elongation are less well understood,but the available data allows one to formulate testable models of the transition to guide further research.

Diversity of the RNA Polymerase in the H7N9 Influenza A Virus

A novel influenza virus of the H7N9 subtype has infected more than 350 people in China since 19 February 2013. Evolutionary analysis indicates that the virus is a reassortant originated from H7, N9 and H9N2 avian influenza viruses, and bears some amino acids associated with mammalian receptor binding, raising concern over the possibility of a new influenza pandemic. Besides HA and NA, the mutation of the polymerase is known to have an important role in virulence, host adaptation and transmissibility in mammalians. In this article, the annotation of the polymerase protein domain associated with molecular function has been highlighted, suggesting the combination of RNA polymerase of H7N9 viruses is still not stable for host adaptation. In addition, the mutation hallmarks in polymerase gene of H7N9 are compared, providing the potential determinants of the evolution in the H7N9 influenza A virus.

A Role for Histone Chaperones in Regulating RNA Polymerase II

Transcription is a highly regulated cellular process in which dysfunction leads to disease. One level of regulation is chromatin structure which protects promoters from transcription factor binding. To circumvent this blockade, histone chaperones aid in displacement of nucleosomes. In particular, the histone chaperone complex HUCA, consisting of Hira, Ubn1, Cabin1, and ASF1a, replaces histone variant H3.1 with H3.3 in front of actively transcribing RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII). The 26S proteasome is a major degrader of proteins within the cell and plays both proteolytic and non- proteolytic roles in transcriptional regulation. One major role is the degradation of irreversibly arrested RNAPII. Several interactions between HUCA, the 26S proteasome, and RNAPII have been characterized individually;we now present observations from our lab and others which directly associate elongating RNAPII with the degradation machinery through observations of involvement with the HUCA complex. Our short report presents these ideas and discusses their importance in transcriptional regulation as well as implications in disease manifestation.

Anti-RNA Polymerase III Antibodies in Systemic Sclerosis

Anti-RNA Polymerase III has been recognized as an important autoantibody in Systemic Sclerosis and it is now included in the 2013 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for Systemic Sclerosis. With this manuscript we attempt to review the current data on anti-RNA polymerase II as it relates to Systemic Sclerosis.

Baculovirus RNA Polymerase: Activities, Composition, and Evolution

Baculoviruses are the only nuclear replicating DNA-containing viruses that encode their own DNA-directed RNA polymerase (RNAP). The baculovirus RNAP is specific for the transcription of genes expressed after virus DNA replication. It is composed of four subunits, making it the simplest multisubunit RNAP known. Two subunits contain motifs found at the catalytic center of other RNAPs and a third has capping enzyme functions. The function of the fourth subunit is not known. Structural studies on this unique RNAP will provide new insights into the functions of this enzyme and the regulation of viral genes and may be instrumental to optimize the baculovirus gene expression system.

血清lncRNA T342620联合AFP对肝癌的诊断价值

目的探究肝癌患者血清长链非编码RNA(lncRNA)T342620的表达水平,及其单独或联合甲胎蛋白(AFP)诊断肝癌的临床应用价值。方法采用病例对照研究,收集2021年4月至2023年5月在中国人民解放军南部战区总医院治疗的69例原发性肝癌患者(肝癌组)、32例乙型肝炎患者(乙肝组)、20例肝硬化患者(肝硬化组)、30例原发性肝癌经导管肝动脉化疗栓塞术(TACE)术后患者(肝癌术后组)和同期进行体检的50例健康者(健康体检组)的血清,提取血清总RNA,采用实时荧光定量PCR技术,检测血清中lncRNA T342620的相对表达量;结合患者临床诊疗资料,分析其表达水平与病理特征和血清学相关指标的相关性;运用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析lncRNA T342620单独及联合AFP对肝癌诊断的特异度和灵敏度。根据ROC曲线下面积(AUC)判断诊断效能,评估其在肝癌诊断中的应用价值。各组间比较采用χ^(2)检验,相关性分析采用Spearman法。结果lncRNA T342620在肝癌组和肝癌术后组血清表达水平较健康体检组、乙肝组、肝硬化组高,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.001);临床病理和血清学相关指标分析显示:肿瘤越大,血清lncRNAT342620表达水平越高,肝癌组血清lncRNA T342620表达水平与白蛋白(ALB)和白球比(A/G)呈负相关(P<0.05),与α-L-岩藻糖苷酶(AFU)和HBV-DNA呈正相关(P<0.05),肝癌术后组患者血清lncRNA T342620表达水平与总胆汁酸(TBA)呈正相关(P<0.05);ROC曲线分析显示:血清lncRNA T342620用于区别肝癌患者与健康者、乙肝和肝硬化患者时,其灵敏度和特异度分别为55.1%和94.1%,具有较好的诊断价值;和AFP联合检测时,灵敏度和特异度分别为91.3%和91.2%,其灵敏度高于各单项指标诊断的灵敏度,且联合检测诊断效能最高,AUC为0.954,与AFP和lncRNA-T342620单独检测的AUC(0.906、0.758)比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论血清lncRNA T342620有可能成为肝癌辅助诊断的新型血清分子标志物。