Differences and similarities between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2: spike receptor-binding domain recognition and host cell infection with support of cellular serine proteases

Infection. 2020 Oct;48(5):665-669. doi: 10.1007/s15010-020-01486-5. Epub 2020 Jul 31.

Abstract

Novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) became pandemic by the end of March 2020. In contrast to the 2002-2003 SARS-CoV outbreak, which had a higher pathogenicity and lead to higher mortality rates, SARSCoV-2 infection appears to be much more contagious. Moreover, many SARS-CoV-2 infected patients are reported to develop low-titer neutralizing antibody and usually suffer prolonged illness, suggesting a more effective SARS-CoV-2 immune surveillance evasion than SARS-CoV. This paper summarizes the current state of art about the differences and similarities between the pathogenesis of the two coronaviruses, focusing on receptor binding domain, host cell entry and protease activation. Such differences may provide insight into possible intervention strategies to fight the pandemic.

Keywords: Coronavirus; Furin; Receptor binding domain; Sars-CoV; Sars-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Antibodies, Viral / biosynthesis
  • Betacoronavirus / immunology
  • Betacoronavirus / pathogenicity*
  • COVID-19
  • Cathepsins / genetics
  • Cathepsins / immunology
  • Coronavirus Infections / enzymology
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology
  • Coronavirus Infections / pathology
  • Enzyme Activation / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immune Evasion
  • Pandemics*
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / genetics
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / immunology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / enzymology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / immunology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / pathology
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Domains
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Serine Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Serine Endopeptidases / immunology
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / enzymology
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / immunology
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / pathology
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / immunology
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / pathogenicity*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / chemistry
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / genetics
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / immunology*
  • Virus Internalization
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • Cathepsins
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
  • ACE2 protein, human
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Serine Endopeptidases
  • TMPRSS2 protein, human