Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an enveloped positive-stranded RNA virus and the causative agent of COVID-19, a primarily respiratory illness characterized by fever, cough, and shortness of breath that can lead to life-threatening complications.1,2,3,4,5 The SARS-CoV-2 genome contains approximately 30 kilobases and 14 open reading frames (ORFs) that encode four structural proteins: spike, envelope, membrane, and nucleocapsid, as well as 16 non-structural proteins and 9 accessory factors.6 SARS-CoV-2 nsp13 helicase is a superfamily 1B helicase and component of replicase polyprotein 1a (PP1a), which is encoded by ORF1a in the viral genome. It is composed of two canonical RecA-like ATPase domains, 1A and 2A, and a zinc-binding domain, stalk region, and 1B domain.7,8 SARS-CoV-2 nsp13 functions as both an RNA helicase and a nucleoside triphosphate hydrolase (NTPase), unwinding RNA in an NTP-dependent manner.9 It inhibits IFN-β reporter gene activation induced by the RIG-I 2CARD domain in 293FT cells, indicating a role for nsp13 helicase in suppression of the host immune response.10 Cayman's SARS-CoV-2 nsp13 Helicase (E. coli expressed) protein can be used for enzyme assays and Western blot (WB) applications.WARNING This product is not for human or veterinary use.
