A unifying structural and functional model of the coronavirus replication organelle: Tracking down RNA synthesis

Zoonotic coronavirus (CoV) infections, such as those responsible for the current severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, cause grave international public health concern. In infected cells, the CoV RNA-synthesizing machinery associates with modified endoplasmic reticulum membranes that are transformed into the viral replication organelle (RO). Although double-membrane vesicles (DMVs) appear to be a pan-CoV RO element, studies to date describe an assortment of additional CoV-induced membrane structures. Despite much speculation, it remains unclear which RO element(s) accommodate viral RNA synthesis. Here we provide detailed 2D and 3D analyses of CoV ROs and show that diverse CoVs…

• NO
  Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek

  Awards: NWO-MEERVOUD-836.10.003, 700.57.301
• BA
  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

  Awards: BBS/E/I/00007034, BBS/E/I/COV07001, BB/N002350/1