Respiratory mucus as a virus-host range determinant.
Trends Microbiol
; 29(11): 983-992, 2021 11.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1187873
ABSTRACT
Efficient penetration of the mucus layer is needed for respiratory viruses to avoid mucociliary clearance prior to infection. Many respiratory viruses bind to glycans on the heavily glycosylated mucins that give mucus its gel-like characteristics. Influenza viruses, some paramyxoviruses, and coronaviruses avoid becoming trapped in the mucus by releasing themselves by means of their envelope-embedded enzymes that destroy glycan receptors. For efficient infection, receptor binding and destruction need to be in balance with the host receptor repertoire. Establishment in a novel host species requires resetting of the balance to adapt to the different glycan repertoire encountered. Growing understanding of species-specific mucosal glycosylation patterns and the dynamic interaction with respiratory viruses identifies the mucus layer as a major host-range determinant and barrier for zoonotic transfer.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Viruses
/
Host Specificity
Language:
English
Journal:
Trends Microbiol
Journal subject:
Microbiology
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.tim.2021.03.014
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