ACE2 isoform diversity predicts the host susceptibility of SARS‐CoV‐2. Issue 3 (29th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gao, Shan; Luan, Junwen; Cui, Haoran; Zhang, Leiliang
• Is Part Of: Transboundary and emerging diseases. Volume 68:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 1026
• Page End: 1032
• Publication Date: 2020-09-29
• Subjects: ACE2 -- COVID‐19 -- host susceptibility -- isoform -- SARS‐CoV‐2; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13773
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1865-1674

Abstract

Abstract: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) causes the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the functional receptor for SARS‐CoV‐2. In our current study, we found that two types of deficient ACE2 isoforms from different mammals compete with full‐length ACE2 for association with S protein. One type of ACE2 is a natural soluble isoform, the other type of ACE2 only associates with one loop of the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of the SARS‐CoV‐2 S protein. Mammals with either type of ACE2 will be deficient in support of SARS‐CoV‐2 entry. By combining S recognition and isoform analysis of ACE2, we predict that felids, mustelids, hamsters, and sheep are susceptible to SARS‐CoV‐2, while canids, swines, cattle, and goats are not permissive for SARS‐CoV‐2. Thus, the differential susceptibilities of mammals with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection could be partially explained by the ACE2 isoform diversity. Our findings will shed important light on predicting the host range of other zoonotic viruses.