The RNA-binding preferences of the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid NTD

Sophie Marianne Korn – @Sophie__Korn

Delighted to present my work at #GlobalnmrTC2022! In the Schlundt group @lab_nmr in Frankfurt @goetheuni, we use #NMR to study RNA-protein complexes. Take a glimpse at our work on #SARSCoV2 Nucleocapsid NTD and its RNA preferences, following a short intro on our standard tools. pic.twitter.com/zYgtaTboTX

— Sophie Korn (@Sophie__Korn) August 3, 2022

How the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N) recognizes specific RNA motifs remains unanswered. We use NMR to analyze the interactions of N’s N-terminal RNA-binding domain with RNA elements in the viral genomic RNA. The domain uses defined sensory residues to read intrinsic signatures of preferred RNA elements from available motifs.