Neuropilin-1 is a host factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection

Another host factor for SARS-CoV-2 Virus-host interactions determine cellular entry and spreading in tissues. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the earlier SARS-CoV use angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor; however, their tissue tropism differs, raising the possibility that additional host factors are involved. The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 contains a cleavage site for the protease furin that is absent from SARS-CoV (see the Perspective by Kielian). Cantuti-Castelvetri et al. now show that neuropilin-1 (NRP1), which is known to bind furin-cleaved substrates, potentiates SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. NRP1 is abundantly expressed in the respiratory and olfactory…

• WT
  Wellcome Trust

  Award: 203959/Z/16/Z
• SN
  Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung
• ET
  Eesti Teadusagentuur

  Award: PRG230 and EAG79
• UF
  U.S. Food and Drug Administration

  Award: HHSF223201510104C
• MR
  Medical Research Council

  Awards: MR/R020566/1, MR/R020566/1, MR/P018807/1, MR/P018807/1, MR/T028769/1
• BA
  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

  Awards: BB/L01386X/1, BB/M02542X/1
• ER
  European Research Council
• ER
  European Regional Development Fund

  Award: 2014-2020.4.01.15-0012
• WT
  Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research

  Award: 104568/Z/14/2
• HE
  H2020 European Research Council

  Award: No 856581 - CHUbVi