Molecular Basis of SARS-CoV-2 Nsp1-Induced Immune Translational Shutdown as Revealed by All-Atom Simulations
- Autori: Borisek J.; Spinello A.; Magistrato A.
- Anno di pubblicazione: 2021
- Tipologia: Articolo in rivista
- Parole Chiave: COVID-19; Humans; Hydrogen Bonding; Protein Binding; Ribosome Subunits, Small, Eukaryotic; SARS-CoV-2; Viral Nonstructural Proteins; Molecular Dynamics Simulation
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/535277
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic represents the most severe global health crisis in modern human history. One of the major SARS-CoV-2 virulence factors is nonstructural protein 1 (Nsp1), which, outcompeting with the binding of host mRNA to the human ribosome, triggers a translation shutdown of the host immune system. Here, microsecond-long all-atom simulations of the C-terminal portion of the SARS-CoV-2/SARS-CoV Nsp1 in complex with the 40S ribosome disclose that SARS-CoV-2 Nsp1 has evolved from its SARS-CoV ortholog to more effectively hijack the ribosome by undergoing a critical switch of Q/E158 and E/Q159 residues that perfects Nsp1's interactions with the ribosome. Our outcomes offer a basis for understanding the sophisticated mechanisms underlying SARS-CoV-2 diversion and exploitation of human cell components to its deadly purposes.