Structural insights into the assembly and regulation of 2′-O RNA methylation by SARS-CoV-2 nsp16/nsp10

2′-O-ribose methylation of the first transcribed base (adenine or A₁ in SARS-CoV-2) of viral RNA mimics host RNAs and subverts the innate immune response. How nsp16, with partner nsp10, assembles on the 5′-end of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA to methylate A₁ is not fully understood. We present a ∼2.4 Å crystal structure of the heterotetrameric complex formed by the cooperative assembly of two nsp16/nsp10 heterodimers with one 10-mer Cap-1 RNA (product) bound to each. An aromatic zipper-like motif in nsp16 and the N-terminal regions of nsp10 and nsp16 orchestrate oligomeric assembly for efficient methylation. The front catalytic pocket of nsp16 stabilizes the upstream portion of the RNA while downstream RNA remains unresolved, likely due to flexibility. An inverted nsp16 dimer extends the positively charged surface for longer RNA to influence catalysis. Additionally, a non-specific nucleotide-binding pocket on the backside of nsp16 plays a critical role in catalysis, contributing to enzymatic activity.