I ( nsp 1 ) ecting SARS-CoV-2-ribosome interactions 1

6 While SARS-CoV-2 is causing modern human history’s most serious health crisis 7 and upending our way of life, clinical and basic research on the virus is advancing 8 rapidly, leading to fascinating discoveries. Two studies have revealed how the viral 9 virulence factor, nonstructural protein 1 (Nsp1), binds human ribosomes to inhibit 10 host cell translation. Here, we examine the main conclusions on the molecular 11 activity of Nsp1 and its role in suppressing innate immune responses. We discuss 12 different scenarios potentially explaining how the viral RNA can bypass its own 13 translation blockage and speculate on the suitability of Nsp1 as a therapeutic 14 target. 15