Abstract
COVID-19, a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that produces major symptoms of pneumonia, has been a disaster worldwide. The traceability of SARS-CoV-2 and the discovery of susceptible animal species is crucial to halt viral transmission and explore the mechanism of cross-species transmission. We selected 82 representative ACE2 sequences from the 1000 sequences with the closest homology to the hACE2 protein. All selected ACE2 proteins were subjected to homology modeling. Potential natural and intermediate hosts, as well as animal species susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, were analyzed systematically by calculation of the binding free energy of ACE2 protein to the RBD of SARS-CoV-2. Primates, some wild Felidae, civets, goats, spotted hyenas and golden hamsters are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and may be potential intermediate hosts, whereas pangolins, birds and reptiles are unlikely to be intermediate hosts. Mice, rats and guinea pig are not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Given their possible susceptibility, non-human primates, goats and golden hamsters could potentially be used as experimental models to examine SARS-CoV-2 infection without transgenesis. Herein, possible candidates for the natural and intermediate hosts of SARS-CoV-2 are suggested, to provide guidance for subsequent studies.
Highlights
The world is undergoing a battle against the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)
angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) usage is a crucial determinant of infectivity and host range.we collected 1000 hACE2 homologous protein sequences with the BLASTp method
Further analysis of the binding ability of ACE2 from various animals toward the RBD of pangolin-CoV GD was performed (Table 2), and we found that Capra hircus, Mesocricetus auratus, Homo sapiens and most primates, Marmota marmot, Ictidomys tridecemlineatus, Oryctolagus cuniculus, Marmota flaviventris, Jaculus jaculus, Phodopus campbelli, Ovis aries, Grammomys surdaster, Pteropus alecto, Sus scrofa, Dasypus novemcinctus and Myotis brandtii ACE2 had stronger binding ability toward the RBD of pangolin-CoV GD than that of Manis javanica, the putative intermediate host of SARSCoV-2, Capra hircus
Summary
The world is undergoing a battle against the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). By the end of July 2021, more than 200 million cases of COVID-19 and 4.25 million deaths had occurred worldwide. The pandemic has affected 212 countries and regions globally. All humanity must work together to overcome this obstacle. Since entering the 21st century, humans have experienced three outbreaks of pneumonia due to coronavirus, providing a strong reminder that we must pay sufficient attention to coronavirus prevention and treatment. Tracing the origin of SARS-CoV-2 and its route of transmission is important for the development of treatment and prevention strategies for future recurrent epidemics
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