Coronaviral Frameshift-Stimulatory Element RNA Pseudoknot (Corona_FSE)

The coronaviral frameshift-stimulatory element (FSE) RNA pseudoknot is a highly conserved structural motif found in the genomes of coronaviruses. It plays a critical role in viral protein synthesis by promoting programmed −1 ribosomal frameshifting (−1 PRF), a mechanism that allows the ribosome to shift reading frames during translation, thereby enabling the production of multiple proteins from overlapping open reading frames. Disruption or modulation of this element can inhibit viral replication because it directly affects synthesis ratios for key replicase polyproteins. Recent research has demonstrated that small molecules binding to this RNA structure can reduce −1 PRF efficiency and suppress virus propagation—making it an attractive antiviral drug target for SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogenic coronaviruses.

Other names

FSEFrameshift-Stimulatory Element RNA PseudoknotCoronavirus FSE

Small molecules binding to the FSE can reduce -1 PRF efficiency and suppress virus propagation.