Abstract
Phosphorylation of serines 197 and 206 of SARS-COV-2 Nucleocapsid protein (NCp) enhanced the stability and binding efficiency and sequestration of NCp to Protein 14-3-3 by increasing the Stability Energy (ΔGstability energy) and Binding Energy (ΔΔGbinding energy) from ~545 Kcal/mol to ~616 Kcal/mol, and from 108 Kcal/mol to ~228 Kcal/mol respectively. The calculated Binding Energy Difference (ΔΔGbinding energy difference) between dephospho-NCp-14-3-3 complex and phospho-NCp-13-3-3 complex was ~72 Kcal/mol. Phosphorylations of serines 186, 197, 202 and 206, and threonines 198 and 205 NCp also caused an increase in the Stability Energy (ΔGstability energy) and Binding Energy (ΔΔGbinding energy) from ~545 Kcal/mol to ~617, 616, 583, 580, 574, 564 and 566 Kcal/mol and from ~108 Kcal/mol to ~228, 216, 184, 188, 184, 174 and 112 Kcal/mol respectively. Phosphorylation of NCp on serines 197 and 206 caused a decrease in Stability Energy and Binding Energy from ~698 Kcal/mol to 688 Kcal/mol, and from ~91 Kcal/mol to ~82 Kcal/mol for the dimerization of NCp. These results support the existence of a phosphorylation dependent cellular mechanism to bind and sequester NCp.
