PMID: 32939273

Authors:

Michalska K, Kim Y, Jedrzejczak R, Maltseva NI, Stols L, Endres M, Joachimiak A

Title:

Crystal structures of SARS-CoV-2 ADP-ribose phosphatase: from the apo form to ligand complexes.

Journal:

IUCrJ. 2020 Jul 17;7(Pt 5):814-824. doi: 10.1107/S2052252520009653. eCollection, 2020 Sep 1.

Abstract:

Among 15 nonstructural proteins (Nsps), the newly emerging Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) encodes a large, multidomain Nsp3. One of its units is the ADP-ribose phosphatase domain (ADRP; also known as the macrodomain, MacroD), which is believed to interfere with the host immune response. Such a function appears to be linked to the ability of the protein to remove ADP-ribose from ADP-ribosylated proteins and RNA, yet the precise role and molecular targets of the enzyme remain unknown. Here, five high-resolution (1.07-2.01 A) crystal structures corresponding to the apo form of the protein and its complexes with 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES), AMP and ADP-ribose have been determined. The protein is shown to undergo conformational changes to adapt to the ligand in the manner previously observed in close homologues from other viruses. A conserved water molecule is also identified that may participate in hydrolysis. This work builds foundations for future structure-based research on ADRP, including the search for potential antiviral therapeutics.