Download MendeleyACE2 utilization of HKU25 clade MERS-related coronaviruses with broad geographic distribution.
Liu, C., Park, Y.J., Ma, C.B., Stuart, C., Gen, R., Sun, Y.C., Yang, X., Lin, M.Y., Xiong, Q., Si, J.Y., Liu, P., Veesler, D., Yan, H.(2025) bioRxiv
- PubMed: 40027745
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.02.19.639017
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
9N7D, 9N7E - PubMed Abstract:
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) is a well-established receptor for several MERS-related coronaviruses (MERSr-CoVs) isolated from humans, camels, pangolins, and bats (1-6). However, the receptor usage of many genetically diverse bat MERSr-CoVs with broad geographical distributions remains poorly understood. Recent studies have identified angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as an entry receptor for multiple merbecovirus clades. Here, using viral antigen and pseudovirus-based functional assays, we demonstrate that several bat merbecoviruses from the HKU25 clade previously thought to utilize DPP4 (7), employ ACE2 as their functional receptor. Cryo-electron microscopy analysis revealed that HsItaly2011 and VsCoV-a7 recognize ACE2 with a binding mode sharing similarity with that of HKU5 but involving remodeled interfaces and distinct ortholog selectivity, suggesting a common evolutionary origin of ACE2 utilization for these two clades of viruses. EjCoV-3, a strain closely related to the DPP4-using MERSr-CoV BtCoV-422, exhibited relatively broad ACE2 ortholog tropism and could utilize human ACE2 albeit suboptimally. Despite differences in entry mechanisms and spike proteolytic activation compared to MERS-CoV, these viruses remain sensitive to several broadly neutralizing antibodies and entry inhibitors. These findings redefine our understanding of the evolution of receptor usage among MERSr-CoVs and highlight the versatility of ACE2 as a functional receptor for diverse coronaviruses.
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University; Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China.
Organizational Affiliation:
