Double-stranded RNA drives SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein to undergo phase separation at specific temperatures. Author Christine Roden, Yifan Dai, Catherine Giannetti, Ian Seim, Myungwoon Lee, Rachel Sealfon, Grace McLaughlin, Mark Boerneke, Christiane Iserman, Samuel Wey, Joanne Ekena, Olga Troyanskaya, Kevin Weeks, Lingchong You, Ashutosh Chilkoti, Amy Gladfelter Publication Year 2022 Type Journal Article Abstract Nucleocapsid protein (N-protein) is required for multiple steps in betacoronaviruses replication. SARS-CoV-2-N-protein condenses with specific viral RNAs at particular temperatures making it a powerful model for deciphering RNA sequence specificity in condensates. We identify two separate and distinct double-stranded, RNA motifs (dsRNA stickers) that promote N-protein condensation. These dsRNA stickers are separately recognized by N-protein's two RNA binding domains (RBDs). RBD1 prefers structured RNA with sequences like the transcription-regulatory sequence (TRS). RBD2 prefers long stretches of dsRNA, independent of sequence. Thus, the two N-protein RBDs interact with distinct dsRNA stickers, and these interactions impart specific droplet physical properties that could support varied viral functions. Specifically, we find that addition of dsRNA lowers the condensation temperature dependent on RBD2 interactions and tunes translational repression. In contrast RBD1 sites are sequences critical for sub-genomic (sg) RNA generation and promote gRNA compression. The density of RBD1 binding motifs in proximity to TRS-L/B sequences is associated with levels of sub-genomic RNA generation. The switch to packaging is likely mediated by RBD1 interactions which generate particles that recapitulate the packaging unit of the virion. Thus, SARS-CoV-2 can achieve biochemical complexity, performing multiple functions in the same cytoplasm, with minimal protein components based on utilizing multiple distinct RNA motifs that control N-protein interactions. Keywords RNA-Binding Proteins, RNA, Viral, Binding Sites, Phosphoproteins, RNA, Double-Stranded, Temperature, SARS-CoV-2, Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins Journal Nucleic Acids Res Volume 50 Issue 14 Pages 8168-8192 Date Published 2022 Aug 12 ISSN Number 1362-4962 DOI 10.1093/nar/gkac596 Alternate Journal Nucleic Acids Res PMCID PMC9371935 PMID 35871289 PubMedPubMed CentralGoogle ScholarBibTeXEndNote X3 XML