Broad host range of SARS-CoV-2 predicted by comparative and structural analysis of ACE2 in vertebrates

Damas, Joana; Hughes, Graham M.; Keough, Kathleen C.; Painter, Corrie; Persky, Nicole S.; Corbo, Marco; Hiller, Michael; Koepfli, Klaus‐Peter; Pfenning, Andreas R.; Zhao, Huabin; Genereux, Diane P.; Swofford, Ross; Pollard, Katherine S.; Ryder, Oliver A.; Nweeia, Martin; Lindblad‐Toh, Kerstin; Teeling, Emma C.; Karlsson, Elinor K.; Lewin, Harris A.

doi:10.1073/pnas.2010146117

articleProceedings of the National Academy of SciencesAug 21, 2020HYBRID OA

Broad host range of SARS-CoV-2 predicted by comparative and structural analysis of ACE2 in vertebrates

JDJoana Damas GMGraham M. Hughes KCKathleen C. Keough CPCorrie Painter NSNicole S. Persky

University of California, Davis · University College Dublin · +21 more institutions

PubMed

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Abstract

The novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of COVID-19. The main receptor of SARS-CoV-2, angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), is now undergoing extensive scrutiny to understand the routes of transmission and sensitivity in different species. Here, we utilized a unique dataset of ACE2 sequences from 410 vertebrate species, including 252 mammals, to study the conservation of ACE2 and its potential to be used as a receptor by SARS-CoV-2. We designed a five-category binding score based on the conservation properties of 25 amino acids important for the binding between ACE2 and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Only mammals fell into the medium to very high…

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Topics & keywords

Topics

Keywords

Outbreak
Pandemic
Wildlife
Endangered species
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
Biology
Infectivity
Coronavirus

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good health and well-being

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