Nicotinic receptors as SARS-CoV-2 spike co-receptors?. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dormoy, Valérian; Perotin, Jeanne-Marie; Gosset, Philippe; Maskos, Uwe; Polette, Myriam; Deslée, Gaëtan
• Is Part Of: Medical hypotheses. Volume 158(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: ACE-2 Angiotensin converting enzyme-2 -- BR Binding region -- COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 -- ETD Extracellular topological domain -- nAChRs Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors -- PDB Protein data bank -- RBD Receptor binding domain -- SARS-CoV-2 Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 -- vdw Van der Waals; Nicotinic receptors -- COVID-19 -- SARS-CoV-2 -- hACE2 -- Lung; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110741
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-9877

Abstract

Abstract: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play an important role in homeostasis and respiratory diseases. Controversies regarding the association between COVID-19 hospitalizations and smoking suggest that nAChRs may contribute to SARS-CoV-2 respiratory syndrome. We recently detailed the expression and localization of all nAChR subunits in the human lung. Since virus association with nAChRs has been shown in the past, we hypothesize that nAChR subunits act as SARS-CoV-2 Spike co-receptors. Based on sequence alignment analysis, we report domains of high molecular similarities in nAChRs with the binding domain of hACE2 for SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. This hypothesis supported by in silico pilot data provides a rational for the modelling and the in vitro experimental validation of the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and the nAChRs.