Abstract
Using RNA antisense purification and mass spectrometry, we identified more than 100 human proteins that directly and specifically bind SARS-CoV-2 RNA in infected cells. To gain insights into the functions of selected RNA interactors, we applied genetic perturbation and pharmacological inhibition experiments, and mapped the contact sites on the viral RNA. This led to the identification of host dependency factors and defense strategies, which can guide the design of novel therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2.
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Funding note: Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.
Footnotes
Mathias Munschauer 2006–2010 Studium Biotechnologie, Hochschule Mannheim. 2010–2014 Promotion im Fach Biochemie, FU Berlin. 2014–2019 Postdoktorand am Broad Institute of MIT und Harvard. Seit 2019 Helmholtz-Nachwuchsgruppenleiter am Helmholtz-Institut für RNA-basierte Infektionsforschung. Seit 2021 Juniorprofessor an der Medizinischen Fakultät der Universität Würzburg.
Nora Schmidt 2009–2015 Studium der Technischen Biologie, Universität Stuttgart mit Masterarbeit am Imperial College London, UK, Labor von Prof. Dr. P. O’Hare. 2015–2019 Promotion im Bereich Virologie an der Universität Zürich, Schweiz, Arbeitsgruppe von Prof. Dr. B. Hale. Seit 2020 Postdoktorat in der Arbeitsgruppe von Jun. Prof. Dr. M. Munschauer am Helmholtz-Institut für RNA-basierte Infektionsforschung in Würzburg.
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