The research team, led by professor Lee Gwangrog from KAIST’s Department of Biological Sciences (Image courtesy of KAIST)
DAEJEON, Feb. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Scientists at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have discovered how coronaviruses can replicate so quickly after infecting human cells, potentially opening new avenues for treatment development.
The research team, led by professor Lee Gwangrog from KAIST’s Department of Biological Sciences, revealed that a protein called nsp13 plays a dual role in accelerating viral RNA replication, according to findings published January 29 in Nucleic Acids Research.
While significant research has focused on vaccine development for COVID-19, the mechanism behind the virus’s ability to replicate rapidly and spread efficiently after infection has remained poorly understood. Coronaviruses have been responsible for multiple outbreaks, including SARS in 2003, MERS in 2015, and COVID-19 in 2019.
The researchers found that nsp13, a helicase enzyme, not only unwinds double-stranded nucleic acids but also functions as a chaperone protein, helping to correct misfolded RNA and facilitate cellular RNA metabolism.
The study detailed the two-step process: First, nsp13 uses energy from breaking down ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to unwind the RNA’s twisted structure, producing ADP (adenosine diphosphate) as a byproduct. When this ADP recombines with nsp13, it activates the protein’s chaperone function, further destabilizing the RNA’s secondary structure.
“This simultaneous activation of helicase and chaperone activities represents a novel mechanism for promoting RNA replication,” said Lee. “These findings could contribute to the development of more effective treatments and vaccines against various SARS coronavirus variants.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
