The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), and since its first report, it has become a major public health concern. SARS-CoV-2 is closely related to SARS-CoV and SARS-related bat coronaviruses, and it has been described to use angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor. Natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in domestic and wildlife animals, measured by RT-qPCR, has been confirmed in different countries, especially from the Felidae family. In silico analysis of the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the cellular receptor ACE2 in various animal species has suggested that wild felids and domestic cats could be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 based on this interaction. Here, we performed a protein-protein molecular docking analysis of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with the ACE2 receptor from different animals to elucidate the potential of those species as intermediate hosts or susceptible animals for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Compared to human ACE2, we found that ACE2 receptors from domestic cats and tigers could efficiently interact with RBD of SARS CoV-2 Spike protein. However, dog, ferret, and hamster ACE2 receptor interaction with SARS-CoV-2 S protein RBD was not predicted as favorable, demonstrating a potential differentiated susceptibility in the evaluated species.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, molecular docking, Spike protein, homology modeling, 【초록키워드】 SARS CoV-2, public health, ACE2, coronavirus, pandemic, spike, SARS-CoV, SARS-COV-2 infection, susceptibility, ACE2 receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, human ACE2, Protein, RT-qPCR, RBD, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, WHO, receptor, SARS-CoV-2 S protein, Interaction, Analysis, bat coronaviruses, World Health Organization, natural, acute respiratory syndrome, molecular docking analysis, cellular receptor, Host, Felidae, susceptible, described, predicted, performed, evaluated, suggested, the SARS-CoV-2, 【제목키워드】 SARS CoV-2, ACE2, spike, in silico, Specy,