Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41533578›Full record

ArticleNucleic acids research2026

Structure and function of the nairovirus cap-snatching endonuclease.

Wenhua Kuang, Zhenhua Tian, Gan Zhang, Fan Wu, Jinyue Li, Jingjing Tang, Huanyu Zhang, Xinyue Zhuo, Zhihong Hu, Manli Wang and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nucleic acids research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Wenhua KuangState Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430207, Hubei, China.
Zhenhua TianState Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430207, Hubei, China.
Gan ZhangState Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
Fan WuState Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430207, Hubei, China.
Jinyue LiState Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430207, Hubei, China.
Jingjing TangState Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430207, Hubei, China.
Huanyu ZhangState Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
Xinyue ZhuoSchool of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, Hubei, China.
Zhihong HuState Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430207, Hubei, China.
Manli WangState Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430207, Hubei, China.
Haiyan ZhaoState Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
Zengqin DengState Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430207, Hubei, China.ORCID 0000-0002-5658-2068

Funding

CAS Pioneer Hundred Talents ProgramChinese Academy of Sciences XDA0530000Hubei Province Natural Science Foundation 2022CFB881National Key R&D Program of China 2022YFC2303300National Natural Science Foundation of China 32400129National Natural Science Foundation of China U22A20336Natural Science Foundation of Wuhan 2024040801020249
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Nairoviruses include several human pathogens such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) and Kasokero virus (KASV). The cap-snatching endonuclease (EN) domain of the viral polymerase is essential for transcription and represents a promising antiviral target. However, the structural and functional mechanisms of nairovirus ENs remain poorly understood. Here, we describe biochemical and structural studies of the ENs from CCHFV and KASV. Biochemical assays demonstrate that the RNA endonuclease activity of both ENs is activated by manganese ions and exhibits a preference for uridine-rich RNA substrates. This activity is inhibited by three metal-chelating inhibitors (DPBA, L-742,001, and BXA), with BXA displaying the highest binding affinity and inhibitory potency. We further determine nine crystal structures of CCHFV and KASV ENs in apo, metal ion-bound, and inhibitor-bound states. Comparative structural analysis uncovers a two-metal-ion binding mode unique to nairovirus ENs, in which conserved residues coordinate two manganese ions via bridging water molecules. In the inhibitor-bound structures of KASV EN, BXA forms additional stabilizing interactions with the enzyme, explaining its superior inhibitory effect. Functional assays further confirm that the two-metal-ion mechanism is critical for viral transcription. These findings provide a structural foundation for the rational design of antivirals against CCHFV and related pathogens.

Indexed as

EndonucleasesNairovirusViral ProteinsCrystallography, X-RayEnzyme InhibitorsManganeseModels, MolecularEndonucleasesEnzyme InhibitorsManganeseViral Proteins

Identifiers

PMID41533578
PMCPMC12802927

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.