SARS-CoV-2 Nsp14 alters the host cell transcriptome and increases GTP levels via IMPDH2, identifying a potential therapeutic target for viral infection.
occurred early upon Nsp14 expression. We identified IMPDH2, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step of guanine nucleotides biosynthesis, as a key mediator of these effects. Nsp14 expression caused an increase in GTP cellular levels, and the effect of Nsp14 was strongly decreased in the presence of IMPDH2 inhibitors. Together, our data demonstrate an unknown role for Nsp14 with implications for therapy.
Zaffagni et al. (Fri,) studied this question.