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ACE2 isoform diversity predicts the host susceptibility of SARS‐CoV‐2
Author(s) -
Gao Shan,
Luan Junwen,
Cui Haoran,
Zhang Leiliang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
transboundary and emerging diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.392
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1865-1682
pISSN - 1865-1674
DOI - 10.1111/tbed.13773
Subject(s) - gene isoform , biology , coronavirus , virology , receptor , covid-19 , angiotensin converting enzyme 2 , virus , host (biology) , genetics , gene , disease , medicine , infectious disease (medical specialty)
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.