A high ATP concentration enhances the cooperative translocation of the SARS coronavirus helicase nsP13 in the unwinding of duplex RNA.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus nonstructural protein 13 (SCV nsP13), a superfamily 1 helicase, plays a central role in viral RNA replication through the unwinding of duplex RNA and DNA with a 5' single-stranded tail in a 5' to 3' direction. Despite its putative role in viral RNA replication, nsP13 readily unwinds duplex DNA by cooperative translocation. Herein, nsP13 exhibited different characteristics in duplex RNA unwinding than that in duplex DNA.

Fluorometric detection of influenza viral RNA using graphene oxide.

Simple and reliable detection of influenza viruses is important for timely prescription of antiviral therapy. Here, we developed a facile fluorometric system for detection of influenza subtype viral genes using graphene oxide (GO). A fluorescent DNA probe complementary to hemagglutinin gene of influenza virus is degraded by the 5' to 3' exonuclease activity of Taq polymerase during PCR.