High throughput quantification of short nucleic acid samples by capillary electrophoresis with automated data processing.

Analysis of catalytic activity of nucleic acid enzymes is crucial for many applications, ranging from biotechnology to the search for antiviral drugs. Commonly used analytical methods for quantifying DNA and RNA reaction products based on slab-gel electrophoresis are limited in throughput, speed, and accuracy. Here we report the optimization of high throughput methods to separate and quantify short nucleic acid reaction products using DNA sequencing instruments based on capillary electrophoresis with fluorescence detection.

Expression and purification of tag-free SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in .

The RNA-dependent-RNA polymerase (RdRp) from SARS-CoV-2 is an important drug target because it is responsible for viral RNA genome replication. Efficient production of recombinant RdRp is important in screening antivirals to treat COVID-19. Here, we present our protocol for expression of tag-free replication complex proteins in and subsequent purification.

Remdesivir Is Effective in Combating COVID-19 because It Is a Better Substrate than ATP for the Viral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase.

COVID-19 is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and is currently being treated using Remdesivir, a nucleoside analog that inhibits the RNA-dependent-RNA polymerase (RdRp). However, the enzymatic mechanism and efficiency of Remdesivir have not been determined, and reliable screens for new inhibitors are urgently needed. Here we present our work to optimize expression in , followed by purification and kinetic analysis of an untagged NSP12/7/8 RdRp complex.