The analysis of the mechanism of SARS coronavirus nsp1-mediated mRNA decay

• Project/Area Number: 25860338
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Virology
• Research Institution: University of Yamanashi
• Principal Investigator: TANAKA Tomohisa 山梨大学, 総合研究部, 助教 (30585310)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2014)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,160,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥960,000); Fiscal Year 2014: ¥2,080,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥480,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥2,080,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥480,000)
• Keywords: RNAウイルス / 病原性 / RNA分解 / コロナウイルス / 宿主因子 / ナンセンスRNA分解 / ウイルス / 感染症 / RNA / 翻訳阻害

Outline of Final Research Achievements

SARS coronavirus nsp1 protein causes a severe inhibition of host gene expression by inducing an endonucleolytic cleavage near the 5’UTR of host mRNA. However, the mechanism of nsp1-mediated mRNA cleavage is not known. In the current study, UPF1 protein, which plays a central role in nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD), was identified as the host factor interacting with nsp1 protein in cultured mammalian cells. The knockdowns of UPF1 and another NMD-related host protein reduced the efficiency of the nsp1-mediated mRNA degradation. These data suggested that nsp1 may recruit the NMD-related proteins on host mRNAs through the interaction with UPF1 protein.