The role of high cholesterol in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.

ABSTRACT: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The virus binds to angiotensinogen converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which mediates viral entry into mammalian cells. COVID-19 is notably severe in the elderly and in those with underlying chronic conditions. The cause of selective severity is not well understood. Here we show cholesterol and the signaling lipid phosphatidyl-inositol 4,5 bisphosphate (PIP₂) regulate viral infectivity through the localization of ACE2's into nanoscopic (<200 nm) lipid clusters. Uptake of cholesterol into cell membranes (a condition common to chronic disease) causes ACE2 to move from PIP₂ lipids to endocytic ganglioside (GM1) lipids, where the virus is optimally located for

SUBMITTER: Wang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10140059 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature