The architecture of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome inside virion

Nat Commun. 2021 Jun 24;12(1):3917. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-22785-x.

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 carries the largest single-stranded RNA genome and is the causal pathogen of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. How the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome is folded in the virion remains unknown. To fill the knowledge gap and facilitate structure-based drug development, we develop a virion RNA in situ conformation sequencing technology, named vRIC-seq, for probing viral RNA genome structure unbiasedly. Using vRIC-seq data, we reconstruct the tertiary structure of the SARS-CoV-2 genome and reveal a surprisingly "unentangled globule" conformation. We uncover many long-range duplexes and higher-order junctions, both of which are under purifying selections and contribute to the sequential package of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Unexpectedly, the D614G and the other two accompanying mutations may remodel duplexes into more stable forms. Lastly, the structure-guided design of potent small interfering RNAs can obliterate the SARS-CoV-2 in Vero cells. Overall, our work provides a framework for studying the genome structure, function, and dynamics of emerging deadly RNA viruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COVID-19 / genetics
  • COVID-19 / pathology*
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Genome, Viral
  • Humans
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • RNA, Viral / chemistry*
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • SARS-CoV-2 / genetics*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification
  • SARS-CoV-2 / pathogenicity
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA / methods*
  • Virion / chemistry
  • Virion / genetics*
  • Virion / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Viral