Myricetin-bound crystal structure of the SARS-CoV-2 helicase NSP13 facilitates the discovery of novel natural inhibitors.
Kloskowski, P., Neumann, P., Kumar, P., Berndt, A., Dobbelstein, M., Ficner, R.(2025) Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 81: 310-326
- PubMed: 40421686 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1107/S2059798325004498
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
9I1S, 9I4V - PubMed Abstract: 
The SARS-CoV-2 helicase NSP13 is a highly conserved and essential component of the viral replication machinery, making it a promising target for antiviral drug development. Here, we present the 2?? resolution crystal structure of NSP13 bound to the natural flavonoid myricetin, revealing a conserved allosteric binding site. Guided by these structural findings, a virtual screening campaign identified the caffeic acid derivatives rosmarinic acid and chlorogenic acid as potential novel natural inhibitors, which were experimentally validated to inhibit RNA-unwinding activity. This study provides structural insights that could support ongoing drug-discovery efforts targeting NSP13 in SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses with pandemic potential.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Molecular Structural Biology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, G?ttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of G?ttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077 G?ttingen, Germany.