RECOMBINANT SARS-C O V N S P 12 AND THE USE THEREOF, AND THE METHOD FOR PRODUCING IT

摘要

The present invention relates to a recombinant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) non-structural protein (nsp) 12 with an RNA polymerase activity, its expression vector, its preparation method, and its use. According to the present invention, a soluble recombinant SARS-CoV nsp 12 with an RdRp activity of initiating SARS-CoV genome synthesis can be over-expressed in the transformed host cells, and conveniently purified with high purity. An in vitro replication system important for studying SARS-CoV replication can be established with the purified recombinant SARS-CoV nspl2. SARS-CoV nspl2 produced by the present invention can also be used as a target for the development of anti-viral agents against SARS-CoV. In addition, materials inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity of nsp 12 can be screened efficiently according to the present invention as the optimal conditions for the RdRp assay with SARS-CoV nsp 12 were found.