Cell entry by SARS-CoV-2

Ruchao Peng; Lian-Ao Wu; Qingling Wang; Jianxun Qi; George Fu Gao

doi:10.1016/j.tibs.2021.06.001

Cell entry by SARS-CoV-2

Trends Biochem Sci. 2021 Oct;46(10):848-860. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2021.06.001. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Authors

Ruchao Peng¹, Lian-Ao Wu², Qingling Wang³, Jianxun Qi⁴, George Fu Gao⁵

Affiliations

¹ CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China.
² Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230039, China.
³ Shanxi Natural Carbohydrate Resource Engineering Research Center, College of Food Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
⁴ CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230039, China; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China. Electronic address: jxqi@im.ac.cn.
⁵ CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China. Electronic address: gaof@im.ac.cn.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) invades host cells by interacting with receptors/coreceptors, as well as with other cofactors, via its spike (S) protein that further mediates fusion between viral and cellular membranes. The host membrane protein, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), is the major receptor for SARS-CoV-2 and is a crucial determinant for cross-species transmission. In addition, some auxiliary receptors and cofactors are also involved that expand the host/tissue tropism of SARS-CoV-2. After receptor engagement, specific proteases are required that cleave the S protein and trigger its fusogenic activity. Here we discuss the recent advances in understanding the molecular events during SARS-CoV-2 entry which will contribute to developing vaccines and therapeutics.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coreceptor; membrane fusion; receptor recognition; spike protein; virus entry.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Humans
Protein Binding
Receptors, Virus / metabolism
SARS-CoV-2
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus* / metabolism
Virus Internalization

Substances

Receptors, Virus
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus