Blocking Virus by stopping Virus RNA directed RNA polymerase CoVID-Science

[xkm1948]

So far everyone should have known the basic biology of COVID19:

1 Gets inside human cell through human cell surface receptors
2 Make its own genome and protein inside human cell
3 Bust out

Here are some general counter attack we humans can do:

1. Vaccination by teaching our immune cell to flag out viral particles and kill them
2. Block virus from using the human cell receptor
3. Halt virus replication when they are inside human cell


So I came across this nice thread on Twitter explaining how an Ebola drug remdesivir can help. This drug target the part highlighted in red, viral replication.

So here are the words from the chemist herself:

 

[Vayra86]

Correct, I knew about remdesivir, but this is some nice background! Thanks for sharing!

 

[biffzinker]

Any good news is welcome, and thanks for sharing.

 

[rtwjunkie]

This is good to hear. Chloequine and hydrochlrequine can play havoc on the body anyway, and are lethal for children. Any alternatives are good news! Thanks for the info.

 

[xkm1948]

Thanks to everyone who has been helping the Folding@Home project. This is exactly where it will benefit the research.

The key viral protein is RNA directed RNA polymerase (RDRP). We know the RNA sequence of it but don't know the exact protein 3D structure. Using Folding@Home, researchers can DESIGN similar drug that are more effiecent in targeting the COVID19's RDRP.

COVID's current RDRP predicted structure:

RNA-directed RNA polymerase nsp12 (Pol) | P0DTD1 PRO_0000449629 | Models

SWISS-MODEL is a fully automated protein structure homology-modelling server. The purpose of this server is to make protein modelling accessible to all life science researchers worldwide.

swissmodel.expasy.org

 

[Flanker]

An update from Folding@Home showed a simulation is completed on how a spike opens up before binding to ACE2

CAPTURING THE COVID-19 DEMOGORGON (AKA SPIKE) IN ACTION – Folding@home

foldingathome.org