Specific coronavirus spike (S) protein binding to the appropriate cellular entry receptors initiates coronavirus infection. Upon cell entrance, ORF1a and ORF1b are immediately translated into non-structural proteins. Here, prior to the replication process explanation, we describe the biological function of each NSP in the context of COVID-19 pathogenesis.
The C-terminal domain of COVID-19 nsp1 triggers translational inhibition by sterically blocking the ribosomal mRNA channel entry site in 43S pre-initiation complex, free 40S subunits non-translating 80S ribosomes. 5′ UTR of COVID-19 with a complex secondary structure efficiently promotes translation under a low ribosome. Therefore, upon COVID-19 infection, host protein production switches to viral protein synthesis
[45]. Compared to other NSPs, nsp2 shows maximum sequence variability among coronaviruses, so it was believed that nsp2 protein coevolved in parallel with the hosts to obtain host-specific functions. Nsp2 and nsp3 are involved in RTC formation. Nsp3, through its post-translational activity, affects the host protein’s overall structure and; therefore, suppresses the host’s innate immune response
[46].
A cytoplasmic double-membrane vesicle, required for COVID-19 replication, is induced by the cooperation of nsp4 and nsp3. Nsp5, also called 3C-like protease, or the main protease is thought to engage in synthesizing viral proteins and several nonstructural viral proteins through its protease activity. Moreover, nsp5 prevents interferon I signaling processes through cleavage of STAT 1 transcription factor
[47]. By influencing autophagic proteins, including PIK3C3 and ATG5, nsp6 serves as an autophagy-inducing protein. Nsp8, in cooperation with nsp7, forms a heterodimer structure and confers RNA-binding capacity to nsp12. Nsp9 is required for binding coronavirus replication complex to RNA. Nsp10, an essential cofactor for 2′ O-ribose methyltransferase (Nsp16) and guanine-N7 methyltransferase (Nsp14) activation, assists in the methylation of mRNAs guanosine cap to promote transcription, splicing, polyadenylation, and nuclear export of viral mRNA. Nsp11 displays endo-ribonuclease activity that has a major impact on the viral life cycle
[48]. Nsp12, an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), functions primarily in COVID-19 genome replication and transcription
[49]. Nsp13, Helicase (Hel) or Nucleoside-triphosphatase (NTPase), facilitates RNA folding in the presence of NTPs and plays a crucial role in replication
[50]. Nsp14 and nsp16, which stand for N-7- and 2-Oʹ-methyltransferase, respectively, are involved in the viral RNAs capping so that they are required for immune protection against host pattern recognition receptors (PRR), such as IFIT1. Notably, COVID-19 nsp13 (helicase), nsp14 (exonuclease), and nsp15 (endoribonuclease) were found to be highly effective viral interferon antagonists
[51]. In conclusion, it is worth mentioning that NSPs are promising therapeutic targets for antiviral drug development.
Viral replication organelles (RO) are generally distinct functional structures indicated to function as ideal platforms for viral RNA synthesis. Double-membrane vesicles (DMVs) are the RO’s most abundant component and the central hubs for COVID-19 genome synthesis. By protecting the viral genome from innate immune sensors stimulated by dsRNA, DMVs create an appropriate condition for viral RNA synthesis. Newly synthesized viral RNA translocation from the DMVs to the cytosol is mediated by multiprotein complexes that span both DMV membranes. Therefore, these channels are critical for the COVID-19 life cycle. DMV molecular pores are principally made up of nsp3, nsp4, and nsp6
[52].
RTC contains nsp12-nsp7-nsp8 function in COVID-19 genome replication and transcription. COVID-19 replication is a complex process that involves RNA synthesis, proofreading, and capping. The COVID-19 genomic replication begins with the full-length negative-sense genomic synthesis that serves as a template to make a new positive-sense genomic RNA. In this context, the negative-strand synthesis is initiated by RdRp protein binding to the 3’ end of the genome in a process stimulated by 3’ end RNA secondary structures and sequences. Then, RdRp selects and binds to an appropriate nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) via the formation of phosphodiester bonds, so nucleotide incorporation results in the 3’ end of the nascent RNA extension. Processivity is critical for successful COVID-19 genome replication. Nsp7/nsp8 protein through interaction with the RNA backbone bestows high processivity on RdRp. The increased mutation rate in RNA virus replication is correlated with enhancing diversity in viral genomic sequence. Nsp14 provides a 3′–5′ exonuclease activity that assists RNA synthesis with a unique RNA proofreading function. Following replication, COVID-19 genomes need to undergo capping at their 5’ end and polyadenylation at their 3’ end. This process is similar to those that take place in eukaryotic cells, but COVID-19 genome capping and polyadenylation occur in the cytoplasm. Several momentous biological activities, including host immune response evasion, mRNA translation, and stability, have been reported for the final viral RNA cap
[53].