Upf1-Np complex

A recent proteomic study identified Nucleocapsid protein (Np) of SARS-CoV-2 as a potential interactor of RNA helicase UPF1: the key player of NMD (a cellular mechanism involved in Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay). The direct interaction and its physiological, structural and biochemical implications are unknown.We recently produced recombinant human UPF1 and SARS-CoV-2 Np proteins and demonstrated their direct interaction in vitro.Our present goad is to solve by SPA cryo-EM the structure of UPF1/Np complex with or without RNA substrate and determine the role of this interaction for viral replication. Overall this project aims at shedding new light on the interplay between NMD and SARS-CoV-2 replication. Moreover, the structural information gathered on the Np/UPF1 complex will pave the way for the identification of structure-based novel therapeutic strategies.