Publications
bioRxivMar 2023 DOI:
10.1101/2023.03.31.535059

Determinants of species-specific utilization of ACE2 by human and animal coronaviruses

Wang, Qingxing; Noettger, Sabrina; Xie, Qinya; Pastorio, Chiara; Seidel, Alina; Müller, Janis A.; Jung, Christoph; Jacob, Timo; Sparrer, Konstantin M.J.; Zech, Fabian; Kirchhoff, Frank
Product Used
Genes
Abstract
Utilization of human ACE2 allowed several bat coronaviruses (CoVs), including the causative agent of COVID-19, to infect humans either directly or via intermediate hosts. Here, we analyzed the ability of Spike proteins from 24 human or animal CoVs to use ACE2 receptors across nine reservoir, potential intermediate and human hosts. We show that overall SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants evolved more efficient ACE2 usage but mutation of R493Q in BA.5 Spike disrupts utilization of ACE2 from Greater horseshoe bats. Spikes from most CoVs showed species-specific differences in ACE2 usage, partly due to variations in ACE2 residues 31, 41 or 354. Mutation of T403R allowed the RaTG13 bat CoV Spike to use all ACE2 orthologs analysed for viral entry. Sera from COVID-19 vaccinated individuals neutralized the Spike proteins of a range of bat Sarbecoviruses. Our results define determinants of ACE2 receptor usage of diverse CoVs and suggest that COVID-19 vaccination may protect against future zoonoses of SARS-CoV-related bat viruses.HighlightsMutation of R493Q in BA.5 Spike disrupts utilization of ACE2 from Greater horseshoe batsVariations in ACE2 residues 31, 41 or 354 affect utilization by coronavirus Spike proteinsResidue R403 in the Spike protein of bat coronavirus allow broad and effective ACE2 usageSera from COVID-19 vaccinated individuals neutralize Spike proteins of bat Sarbecoviruses
Product Used
Genes

Related Publications