CoV2 - Packaging Signal - PS

Identification of the signal

(pmid: 34735219) We used PS9 to generate VLPs encoding GFP and found that they induced GFP expression in receiver cells (Fig. 2F). These data suggest that PS9 (nt 20080-21171) is a cis-acting element that is sufficient for triggering RNA packaging into SC2-VLPs although it is not currently known whether this sequence is required for the packaging of the SARS-CoV-2 genome.

see also N-variants in virulence : NP - variants affecting infectivity

our approach

Screening for high affinity fragments in 3 regions

1. 1000nt fragments
2. shorter structures

G-blocks ordered

Blunt end cloning

PCR amplification for in vitro Tx

Length dependence of N binding to RNA

MST with different oligos.

N labeled with His-tag binder

RNA oligos from RDh-box.

HiWi can do this.

His-labeling kit

Check for RNA Oligos