Highlights • This review summarizes coronavirus RNA biochemistry mechanisms. • A processivity factor for the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. • RNA proofreading through a viral 3′–5′ exonuclease. • Viral capping regulator factors. 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.
【저자키워드】 Replication, SARS Coronavirus, Proofreading, capping, 【초록키워드】 coronavirus, Biochemistry, Molecular biology, SARS-CoV, Genome, in vitro, MERS-CoV, RNA, activity, methyltransferase, Research, Factors, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, mechanisms, RNA polymerase, RNA virus, respiratory, function, exonuclease, Middle East, enzyme, RNA synthesis, complex, CoVs, highly pathogenic, coronavirus RNA, single-stranded, positive-sense, stimulated, involved, replicate, provided, unique, highlighting, highly active, 【제목키워드】 mechanism, SARS-coronavirus, RNA synthesis, insight,