Structural Bases of Zoonotic and Zooanthroponotic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Viruses. 2022 Feb 17;14(2):418. doi: 10.3390/v14020418.

Abstract

The emergence of multiple variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) highlights the importance of possible animal-to-human (zoonotic) and human-to-animal (zooanthroponotic) transmission and potential spread within animal species. A range of animal species have been verified for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility, either in vitro or in vivo. However, the molecular bases of such a broad host spectrum for the SARS-CoV-2 remains elusive. Here, we structurally and genetically analysed the interaction between the spike protein, with a particular focus on receptor binding domains (RBDs), of SARS-CoV-2 and its receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for all conceivably susceptible groups of animals to gauge the structural bases of the SARS-CoV-2 host spectrum. We describe our findings in the context of existing animal infection-based models to provide a foundation on the possible virus persistence in animals and their implications in the future eradication of COVID-19.

Keywords: ACE2; SARS-CoV-2; eradication; transmission; zoonotic.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / transmission*
  • Host Specificity*
  • Humans
  • Phylogeny
  • Receptors, Virus
  • SARS-CoV-2 / chemistry*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / classification
  • SARS-CoV-2 / genetics*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / pathogenicity
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / genetics
  • Zoonoses / epidemiology
  • Zoonoses / transmission*
  • Zoonoses / virology*

Substances

  • Receptors, Virus
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus

Supplementary concepts

  • SARS-CoV-2 variants