Pangolin merbecovirus gets down to (poly)basics

Cell. 2023 Feb 16;186(4):688-690. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.01.009.

Abstract

Trafficking of live mammals is considered a major risk for emergence of zoonotic viruses. SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses have previously been identified in pangolins, the world's most smuggled mammal. A new study identifies a MERS-related coronavirus in trafficked pangolins with broad mammalian tropism and a newly acquired furin cleavage site in Spike.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COVID-19
  • Chiroptera
  • Coronavirus* / physiology
  • Humans
  • Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
  • Pangolins*
  • Phylogeny
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Zoonoses