Abstract
Coronavirus-like organisms have been previously identified in Arthropod ectoparasites (such as ticks and unfed cat flea). Yet, the question regarding the possible role of these arthropods as SARS-CoV-2 passive/biological transmission vectors is still poorly explored. In this study, we performed in silico structural and binding energy calculations to assess the risks associated with possible ectoparasite transmission. We found sufficient similarity between ectoparasite ACE and human ACE2 protein sequences to build good quality 3D-models of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike:ACE complex to assess the impacts of ectoparasite mutations on complex stability. For several species (e.g., water flea, deer tick, body louse), our analyses showed no significant destabilisation of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike:ACE complex, suggesting these species would bind the viral Spike protein. Our structural analyses also provide structural rationale for interactions between the viral Spike and the ectoparasite ACE proteins. Although we do not have experimental evidence of infection in these ectoparasites, the predicted stability of the complex suggests this is possible, raising concerns of a possible role in passive transmission of the virus to their human hosts.
Highlights
Arthropods such as mosquitoes, flies, lice, fleas, ticks and mites infest humans, wildlife and domestic animals and constitute a global health problem [1,2]
The levels of sequence similarity between the ectoparasite sequences and the human angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) sequence suggested the possibility of similarity in the protein interface
We are not suggesting infection of the parasites as there are currently no experimental data to support that but our data suggest that the virus would be able to attach to membrane-associated proteins (e.g., ACE) on the ectoparasite cell surface and that this may provide a mechanism for passive transmission of the virus
Summary
Arthropods such as mosquitoes, flies, lice, fleas, ticks and mites infest humans, wildlife and domestic animals and constitute a global health problem [1,2]. Insect and arachnid ectoparasites represent a major burden for human and animal health worldwide and novel interventions are required for the control of ectoparasite infestations and transmission of pathogens [1,3,4]. Host–vector–pathogen molecular interactions evolved as conflict and cooperation [7]. In this way, arthropods may benefit from host factors and pathogen-induced gene expression that favour tick feeding and fitness, midgut microbiota composition and changes in epigenetic regulatory mechanisms that facilitate tick survival under extreme environmental conditions, which results in evolutionarily conserved mechanisms that support pathogen infection with increased ectoparasite fitness and survival [7,8,9,10,11,12]
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