title: Insights into RNA synthesis, capping, and proofreading mechanisms of SARS-coronavirus.
abstract: The successive emergence of highly pathogenic coronaviruses (CoVs) such as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) in 2003 and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012 has stimulated a number of studies on the molecular biology. This research has provided significant new insight into functions and activities of the replication/transcription multi-protein complex. The latter directs both continuous and discontinuous RNA synthesis to replicate and transcribe the large coronavirus genome made of a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA of ∼30 kb. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of SARS-CoV enzymes involved in RNA biochemistry, such as the in vitro characterization of a highly active and processive RNA polymerase complex which can associate with methyltransferase and 3'-5' exoribonuclease activities involved in RNA capping, and RNA proofreading, respectively. The recent discoveries reveal fascinating RNA-synthesizing machinery, highlighting the unique position of coronaviruses in the RNA virus world.
authors.affiliation: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université, UMR 7257, AFMB, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sevajol
authors.affiliation: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université, UMR 7257, AFMB, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Subissi
authors.affiliation: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université, UMR 7257, AFMB, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Decroly
authors.affiliation: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université, UMR 7257, AFMB, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Canard
authors.affiliation: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université, UMR 7257, AFMB, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France. Electronic address: isabelle.imbert@afmb.univ-mrs.fr.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Imbert
mesh_terms: D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000378:metabolism; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism*; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
keywords: Capping; Proofreading; Replication; SARS coronavirus