Dozens of mammals may be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2

SARS-CoV-2, a virus that causes COVID-19 in many animals, according to a large study, led by UCL researchers, that models how the virus infects cells in a variety of animals. May be vulnerable to.

Research published in Science report, Report the evidence 26 animal Regular contact with people can make you more susceptible to infection.

Researchers how spikes protein SARS-CoV-2 may interact with the ACE2 protein that attaches when infecting humans.

The focus of the study was whether 215 animal ACE2 proteins were mutated and differed from the human version, resulting in reduced stability of the binding complex between the viral and host proteins. When bound to a protein, the virus can invade the host cell. The virus can infect animals via alternative pathways, but is believed to be based on current evidence that the virus can infect animals if it fails to form a stable binding complex with ACE2. not.

Researchers have found that in some animals, such as sheep and apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, bonobos, etc., many of which are wild and endangered), proteins bind as strongly as: I found that I could do it. The virus infects humans. This does not confirm that the animal may actually be infected, as some animals, such as sheep, have not yet been tested for infection.

The lead author, Professor Christine Orengo (UCL Structural Molecular Biology), said: “It is necessary to investigate which animals are at risk of infection, not just those that have been ly studied, for further investigation and possible monitoring.

“The animals we have identified may be at risk of outbreaks that could threaten endangered species or harm the lives of farmers. Animals also act as virus reservoirs and later. Can re-infect humans at Mink Farm. “

The research team also conducted a more detailed structural analysis of specific animals to better understand how the risk of infection varies between animal species.By comparing their findings with others Experimental data, They set thresholds for predicting which animals are at risk of infection and which animals are most likely to be infectious.

They found that most birds, fish and reptiles did not appear to be at risk of infection, but most of the mammals they reviewed could be potentially infected.

“We are continuing to investigate interactions involving other host viral proteins, as the details of host infection and the severity of the response are more complex than the interactions between spike proteins and ACE2,” added Professor Orengo. It was.

The team’s findings are in close agreement with experiments conducted on live animals and reported cases of infection.They predict the possibilities infection Cases have been reported for domestic cats, dogs, minks, lions, tigers, etc., and ferrets and macaques are also infected. Laboratory research..

Lead author Su Datt Lam (UCL Structural Molecular Biology and The National University of Malaysia) said: “Unlike laboratory-based experiments, the computational analysis we devised can be performed automatically and quickly, so these methods can be easily applied in the future. Virus Unfortunately, outbreaks have become more common due to human invasion of natural habitats. “

Co-author Professor Joan Santini (UCL Structural Molecular Biology) said: “In order to protect animals and protect themselves from the risk of transmitting COVID-19 from infected animals, extensive animal surveillance is required, especially for pets and livestock, cases and clusters while still manageable. Will be discovered early.

“When dealing with animals, it may be important to adopt hygiene measures, as well as the behavior we are all learning this year to reduce infection and isolate infected people from animals and others. . ”