Expression pattern and function of SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2

Ruiting Li; Chengfeng Qin

doi:10.1016/j.bsheal.2021.08.003

Expression pattern and function of SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2

Biosaf Health. 2021 Dec;3(6):312-318. doi: 10.1016/j.bsheal.2021.08.003. Epub 2021 Aug 27.

Authors

Ruiting Li¹, Chengfeng Qin¹

Affiliation

¹ State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China.

Abstract

Since the outbreak at the end of 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has been spreading around the world for more than one year. Scientists have been intensely conducting research on this newly emerged coronavirus and the disease caused by it. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), as a receptor mediating the cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2, has become a hot spot for researchers. Here, we summarized the recent progresses on the function, expression and distribution characteristics of ACE2 in human body and among populations. We further discussed the interaction mechanism of ACE2 and SARS-CoV-2 S protein, focusing on key residues that effect interaction and binding ability of SARS-CoV-2 variants. This will facilitate researchers to better understand SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission route, adaptation mechanism, and designing treatment strategies.

Keywords: ACE2; Expression pattern; Interaction; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

Review