The abstract is read at the publisher; the summary is JClub's.
5-methyl-3'-dUTP most effectively combines RdRp chain termination with superior nsp14-nsp10 ExoN resistance, outperforming 3'-dUTP in SARS-CoV-2 RNA synthesis assays.
- Why it matters: Nucleoside analog antivirals are limited because the viral proofreading exoribonuclease nsp14-nsp10 removes misincorporated analogs, reducing chain-termination efficacy.
- What they did: A panel of nucleotide analogues with ribose 2', 3', and nucleobase modifications was tested for RdRp chain termination and nsp14-nsp10 ExoN resistance, including confirmation by smFRET and molecular dynamics simulations.
- The result: RNA terminated by 5-methyl-3'-dUTP shows barely detectable primer extension even after nsp14-nsp10 cleavage, supporting it as a lead for designing coronavirus nucleoside analogues that evade proofreading.
The findingWhy it mattersWhat they didThe result
AI summary of the abstract · may contain errors · not medical advice · read the paper.