Coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2 – Host Receptor-Mediated Infection Mechanisms & Potential Antiviral Treatments

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Coronavirus Infection Mechanisms and Options for Antiviral Drug Research

 

How does coronavirus invade cells? How can we respond to it?

Dr. Huang | Mar, 2 2020

At the end of 2019, a large-scale illness broke out from Wuhan, Hubei Province - a central province of China. The virus that cased this illness could enter the respiratory tract through droplets - moreover, the increasingly busy traffic conditions and travel around the holiday season made the virus spread extremely rapidly. In just over a month, the epidemic spread throughout the land of China. The viral infection can lead to an illness with symptoms including fever, difficulty breathing, impaired liver and kidney function, serious cough and pneumonia - in some severe cases, the virus can cause shock or even death.

 

Outline of contents:

  1. What is the reason behind this epidemic?
  2. How can pathogenic coronaviruses spread from natural hosts to humans?
  3. The Structure of Coronavirus
  4. How do coronaviruses infect host cells?
  5. What treatments can be adopted in curing the novel coronavirus?
  6. How can we respond to the current epidemic and prevent further outbreaks?
  7. Postscript

 

Interaction of Coronavirus Spike Protein with ACE2 Receptors Mediates Cellular Entry

 

How does coronavirus enter the cell through a host receptor?

Dr. L | Feb, 28 2020

The recent emergence of Coronavirus Disease in 2019 (COVID-19), caused by infection by SARS-CoV-2, has put the world on high alert. People are concerned about how soon drugs and vaccines will be available after the isolation of virus strains and the completion of sequencing and comparative analysis. The scientific community is also dedicated to researching the mechanism of viral infection, with the aim to achieving precise control as soon as possible.

 

Coronavirus spike (S) glycoprotein and receptor ACE2 are key binding sites for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Due to the similarity of the genetic sequences and pathogenesis between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, the scientific community has once again turned its attention to the study of coronavirus spike and receptor ACE2 interactions. The analysis of the binding site of the S protein and the host receptor protein is of great significance, allowing us to better understand the mode of viral invasion and its mechanism of action (MOA) on the receptor. This information is not only critical for the identification of strategies to prevent further spread of SARS-CoV-2, but also serves as guidance for preventing and controlling the emergence of coronaviruses in the future.

 

Outline of contents:

  1. Domain analysis of the Coronavirus (CoV) spike (S) protein
  2. Structural analysis of ACE2 receptor protein
  3. Conclusion

 

Cyagen is prioritizing production of ACE2 mice to support research on COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. Effective immediately, we are opening orders for select ACE2 mouse models. 

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