In blue, human ACE2 protein and in gray, coronavirus spike protein. It depicts how two proteins interact in a lock-and-key mechanism that allows a virus to enter a cell and mimic its own protein-making machinery. Credit: Javier Delgado
Ducks, rats, mice, pigs and chickens were less or less likely to be infected.
Humans, then ferrets, and to a lesser extent cats, dogs, and cats are the most vulnerable animals. SARS-CoV-2 Infection according to an analysis of ten different species conducted by researchers at the Barcelona-based Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG).
These findings, published in PLOS Computational Biology, Found that ducks, rats, mice, pigs and chickens have less or no susceptibility to infection than humans.
“Knowing which animals are susceptible to SARS-CV-2 helps us prevent the formation of animal reservoirs that could cause the coronavirus to re-emerge at a later date,” says Luis Serrano, CRG’s director and senior author. Says. Study. “Our findings provide a clue as to why mink – which is closely related to ferrets – are infected by the disease, which is likely to worsen due to their living conditions and close contact with human workers.”
Binding attachment for ACE2 receptors with spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 in eight different species compared to humans (Blue Baseline). Species above the threshold are susceptible to allowing coronavirus to enter the cell while those below the threshold are not significantly lower or at risk of infection. Credit: Javier Delgado
“Although we are also more likely to be infected by cats, they do not co-exist with humans in the same situation as other animals, which may explain why there are no known cases of people being infected by their pets.” Dr. Ser adds Sereno.
Ten species were studied in this paper. Cases of SARS-Cavi-2 infection have been reported in five species – humans, cats, ferrets, sivets and dogs. Mice, rats, pigs, chickens and ducks are not reported to be infected in the other five species.
The researchers used computer modeling to test how the coronavirus uses its spike protein, which protrudes from the surface of the virus, to infiltrate the cells of various animals. The main point of entry to the cell surface is the ACE2 receptor, which binds to the spike protein through the L-K-and-K mechanism. There are many different types of ACE2 in the human population and in different species.
After differentiation of the ACE2 receptor in humans, ferrets, cats, dogs, and cats have the most binding attachment to viral spike proteins, while mice, rats, chickens, and ducks have the weakest binding energy.
However, measuring the susceptibility of the cell to infection is not sufficient on its own. The researchers also tested the ‘codon adaptation index’ of different species – how efficient the coronavirus is in commanding once it enters the cell’s machinery. The more efficient the process, the better it can make coronavirus proteins that need to be mimicked.
Humans, chickens and ducks have the highest codon adaptation index, while other breeds are more poorly adapted.
Considering both the binding attachment and the codon adaptation index, the researchers concluded that it is the most susceptible animal to be infected by the coronavirus, followed by humans, ferrets, cats, sivets and dogs.
They also found that different human types of ACE2 show differences in stability and spike protein binding, a sensitivity that indicates why some people suffer severely. COVID-19 Features.
“We have identified mutations in the S-protein that dramatically reduce the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to enter the cell, and prevent the host from catching Covid-19,” says CRG researcher and Javier Delgado, the study. “We are now engineering mini-proteins from human ACE2 proteins so that the virus entering the cells can be ‘distracted’ and the infection is blocked. If a new mutation of a viral spike protein occurs, we can engineer new types to block it. “
A better understanding of the sterility of SARS-Cov-2 in different species can better inform public health measures, help reduce human contact with other susceptible animals, and prevent the possible spread of COVD-1p epidemics.
According to the WHO, since June 2020, 214 human cases of Concit-19 associated with Sarv-Covey-2 type farm tinkers have been identified in Denmark, reported on November 5. Preliminary findings suggest that there is a moderate decrease in susceptibility to neutralizing antibodies to the type associated with this particular mink – although this has not been demonstrated.
Reference: “SV proteins and translational efficacy explain the SARS-Cavi-2 infection in different species in silico mutagenesis of human ACE2” PLOS Computational Biology.
DOI: 10.1371 / Journal.PCB.008450
Funding: Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Government of Catalonia, “La Caxa” Foundation, CERCA Centers, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology and Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence.
