Scientists have studied a new type of coronavirus
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Neither SARS-CoV-2 antibodies nor protein molecules capable of suppressing the Middle East MERS fever affect the virus.
Recently discovered in South Africa, the bat coronavirus NeoCov (a close relative of the Middle East fever pathogen MERS) can enter cells in much the same way as SARS-CoV-2 does. The appearance of just one mutation in its genome would make NeoCov dangerous to humans. This is stated in the article on bioRxiv.
It is noted that one of the closest relatives of the MERS-CoV virus uses the ACE2 receptor to enter the lung cells of bats. The appearance of just one mutation in a key part of its envelope allows this virus to actively penetrate into human cells, and it will not be affected by antibodies from MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.
Biologists led by Wuhan University professor Yan Huang have discovered another candidate for the role of the causative agent of a new epidemic in the study of coronaviruses that affect South African bats. We are talking about the unusual NeoCov virus, one of the close relatives of the MERS-CoV virus, the causative agent of the Middle East MERS fever. Like SARS-CoV-2, the Middle East fever pathogen infects the human lungs, but it enters their cells using the DPP4 receptor, and not ACE2, like a new type of coronavirus.
It was assumed that NeoCov entered bat cells in a similar way, but studies with cultures of its particles showed that this was not the case. The pathogen attacked lung cells through ACE2 protein receptors, which brings it closer to SARS-CoV-2 and similar coronaviruses.
The scientists examined the structure of the NeoCov particles in detail to see if they could bind to the human version of the ACE2 protein. It turned out that while the virus can not do this. However, if a single point mutation appears in its genome, a new variety of NeoCov can infect human cells as well.
It is noted that NeoCov binds to ACE2 in a different way than the causative agent COVID-19, as well as other coronaviruses. Therefore, neither antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 nor protein molecules that can suppress the Middle East fever MERS affect the virus.
Earlier it was reported that scientists found a gene that provokes a severe course of coronavirus.
COVID leaves antibodies attacking healthy tissue – scientists
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