A molecular pore spans the double membrane of the coronavirus replication organelle

In this study, we used cellular cryo–electron microscopy to visualize a molecular pore complex that spans both membranes of the double-membrane vesicle and would allow export of RNA to the cytosol. A hexameric assembly of a large viral transmembrane protein was found to form the core of the crown-shaped complex. This coronavirus-specific structure likely plays a key role in coronavirus replication and thus constitutes a potential drug target.

Source: ScienceNOW - September 9, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Wolff, G., Limpens, R. W. A. L., Zevenhoven-Dobbe, J. C., Laugks, U., Zheng, S., de Jong, A. W. M., Koning, R. I., Agard, D. A., Grünewald, K., Koster, A. J., Snijder, E. J., Barcena, M. Tags: Biochemistry, Microbiology reports Source Type: news