This diagram displays how the Nsp3 protein contributes to the viral replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in host cells. 

Diagram of Nsp3 Complexed with Replication-Transcription Complexes

The N protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus attaches to the Nsp3 protein on the replication-transcription complexes (RTC). This attachment allows the N protein to interact with viral RNA to help create virions to spread throughout the host after the RNA has been successfully replication. 

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Nsp stands for non-structural protein. This group of proteins are found in the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The SARS-CoV-2 virus contains Nsp1-16. These Nsp proteins help the virus replicate once it reaches its host cell. Some non-specific proteins play a larger role in cell entry and viral replication than others. 


Nsp proteins that play a significant role in the viral replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus:

- Nsp1 (Non-structural protein 1)
- Nsp3 (Non-structural protein 3)
- Nsp9 (Non-structural protein 9)
- Nsp12 (Non-structural protein 12)
- Nsp15 (Non-structural protein 15)

Nsp's (Non-structural proteins) in the Pathogenesis of COVID-19

Khan, M. T., Irfan, M., Ahsan, H., Ahmed, A., Kaushik, A. C., Khan, A. S., Chinnasamy, S., Ali, A., & Wei, D.-Q. (2021). Structures of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-Binding Proteins and Therapeutic Targets. Intervirology, 64(2), 55–68. https://doi.org/10.1159/000513686. 

Structures of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-Binding Proteins and Therapeutic Targets

Nsp1 or the non-structural protein 1 is an RNA based protein that SARS-CoV-2 uses to help suppress the immunity of a host. It works by interfering with the normal process of translation in the host cells and blocking the mRNA from binding to the ribosome. This instead allows for the viral mRNA to be transcribed instead. 

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