Short peptides derived from the interaction domain of SARS coronavirus nonstructural protein nsp10 can suppress the 2′-O-methyltransferase activity of nsp10/nsp16 complex

► We identify the region of aa 65-107 of nsp10 as the interaction domain with nsp16 in vivo. ► We identify the region of aa 42-120 of nsp10 as the functional domain for activating nsp16 in vitro. ► We design and synthesize two inhibitory peptides K12 and K29 that could inhibit the MTase activity of nsp10/nsp16 complex.