On January 26th, professors Rao Zihe and Yang Haitao’s research team at SIAIS (Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies) of ShanghaiTech University determined the high-resolution crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 3CL hydrolase (Mpro), the only public-domain 3D structure from SARS-CoV-2 currently. The structure data can be downloaded at PDB (Protein Data Bank, PDB) website (PDB ID: 6LU7).
The crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 3CL hydrolase (Mpro)
When the epidemic of COVID-19 broke out, the team decided to keep working even during the Spring Festival holiday. Utilizing their research experience in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS), within one week after they received the DNA sequences, the team determined the structure of SARS-CoV-2 3CL hydrolase (Mpro), the essential enzyme for proteolytic maturation of the virus and a promising target for drug discovery. To facilitate the drug discovery and prevent further spread of the virus, the team released the structure data immediately. Prior to the official release on PDB website, the team had already provided the structure data to over 300 research teams from academia and industries worldwide.
Recently, the crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 3CL hydrolase (Mpro) was selected as February Molecule of the Month by PDB, and was featured in PDB news. “Rapid public release of this structure of the main protease of the virus (PDB 6LU7) will enable research on this newly-recognized human pathogen,” PDB news commented.
PDB February Molecule of the Month - the crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 3CL hydrolase (Mpro)
The PDB news report:
https://www.rcsb.org/news?year=2020&article=5e39e03fa5007a04a313edc3