RESUMO
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, raccoon dogs have been suggested as a potential intermediary in transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to humans. To understand their role in the COVID-19 pandemic and the species barrier for SARS-CoV-2 transmission to humans, we analyzed how their ACE2 protein interacts with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Biochemical data showed that raccoon dog ACE2 is an effective receptor for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, though not as effective as human ACE2. Structural comparisons highlighted differences in the virus-binding residues of raccoon dog ACE2 compared to human ACE2 (L24Q, Y34H, E38D, T82M, R353K), explaining their varied effectiveness as receptors for SARS-CoV-2. These variations contribute to the species barrier that exists between raccoon dogs and humans regarding SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Identifying these barriers can help assess the susceptibility of other mammals to SARS-CoV-2. Our research underscores the potential of raccoon dogs as SARS-CoV-2 carriers and identifies molecular barriers that affect the virus's ability to jump between species.
Assuntos
Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2 , COVID-19 , Cães Guaxinins , SARS-CoV-2 , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus , Animais , Humanos , Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2/metabolismo , Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2/química , COVID-19/virologia , COVID-19/transmissão , COVID-19/metabolismo , Ligação Proteica , Cães Guaxinins/virologia , Receptores Virais/metabolismo , Receptores Virais/química , SARS-CoV-2/fisiologia , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/química , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/metabolismoRESUMO
IMPORTANCE: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed limitations of conventional antibodies as therapeutics, including high cost, limited potency, ineffectiveness against new viral variants, and primary reliance on injection-only delivery. Nanobodies are single-domain antibodies with therapeutic potentials. We discovered three anti-SARS-CoV-2 nanobodies, named Nanosota-2, -3, and -4, from an immunized alpaca. Nanosota-2 is super potent against prototypic SARS-CoV-2, Nanosota-3 is highly potent against the omicron variant, and Nanosota-4 is effective against both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. In addition to their super potency and combined broad antiviral spectrum, these nanobodies are cost-effective, can be easily adapted to new viral variants through phage display, and can potentially be administered as inhalers. The Nanosota series are powerful therapeutic candidates to combat circulating SARS-CoV-2 and prepare for possible future coronavirus pandemics.
