Key result
Favipiravir binds SARS-CoV-2 polymerase via unexpected base-pairing mimicking both adenine and guanine.
Why the study?
Favipiravir can serve as a broad-spectrum antiviral against SARS-CoV-2, but the structural basis of its incorporation into replicating coronavirus polymerase complexes was uncharacterized.
Population
Replicating polymerase complex of SARS-CoV-2
Comparison
Favipiravir bound in the pre-catalytic state
Design
Cryo-EM structural study
Authors
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Hypothesis-generating for favipiravir analogs; leaves open translation to improved clinical antivirals.
The cryo-EM structure of Favipiravir bound to the SARS-CoV-2 polymerase reveals its mechanism of mimicking purine nucleotides, providing a structural basis for antiviral drug development.
Peng et al. (2020) studied SARS-CoV-2. Favipiravir was evaluated on Cryo-EM structure of SARS-CoV-2 polymerase bound to Favipiravir. Favipiravir binds to the SARS-CoV-2 polymerase complex in the pre-catalytic state, revealing an unexpected base-pairing pattern that explains its capacity to mimic both adenine and guanine.
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