Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have unveiled, for the first time, the DNA replication mechanism of the monkeypox virus. This groundbreaking discovery is expected to serve as a crucial structural foundation for future research and development of antiviral drugs.
Monkeypox, a zoonotic virus disease, has affected over 92,000 individuals worldwide. While its genome replication is primarily facilitated by a self-encoded whole enzyme complex, the operational intricacies of this complex have remained elusive. Led by Gao Fu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the research team conducted a comprehensive examination of the entire enzyme structure of the monkeypox virus DNA polymerase.
Utilizing electron cryo-microscopy with a graphene grid, the team achieved a high-resolution, three-dimensional analysis of the monkeypox virus polymerase whole enzyme complex in the replication conformation. This exploration unveiled the working mechanism behind the virus’s DNA replication and its sustained synthesis capabilities.
The research outcomes significantly enhance comprehension of the monkeypox virus genome replication process, providing a pivotal structural framework for subsequent advancements in antiviral drug development. The results of this study were recently published in the prestigious academic journal Science.