ATP is the natural substrate for the active site of nsp12, a molecule on the main protease of SARS-CoV-2. Nsp12 is essential for SARS-CoV-2 replication. ATP has to bind to nsp12 in order for viral replication to occur. 


Santa Clara University

Studies have demonstrated that nsp12 is essential for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to be able to replicate in host cells. As of August 2020, nsp12 is a popular target for treatment of COVID-19. However, it was found that nsp12 does not have much activity on its own. 

nsp12 is essential for SARS-CoV-2 replication 

Raj, T., Kanthesh, B. M., & Gopenath, T. S. (2020). C-PHYCOCYANIN OF SPIRULINA PLANTESIS INHIBITS NSP12 REQUIRED FOR REPLICATION OF SARS-COV-2: A NOVEL FINDING IN-SILICO. International Journal Of Pharmaceutical Sciences And Research, 11(9). doi:10.13040/ijpsr.0975-8232.11(9).4271-78


C-PHYCOCYANIN OF SPIRULINA PLANTESIS INHIBITS NSP12 REQUIRED FOR REPLICATION OF SARS-COV-2: A NOVEL FINDING IN-SILICO. 

It was seen that nsp12 did not show much polymerase activity on its own, but with nsp7 and nsp8, the highest polymerase activity was seen. This demonstrates that the cofactors nsp7 and nsp8 need to be bound to nsp12 for the complex to promote SARS-CoV-2 viral replication. 

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