Multiple independent acquisitions of ACE2 usage in MERS-related coronaviruses.

ABSTRACT: The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor is shared by various coronaviruses with distinct receptor-binding domain (RBD) architectures, yet our understanding of these convergent acquisition events remains elusive. Here, we report that two bat MERS-related coronaviruses (MERSr-CoVs) infecting Pipistrellus nathusii (P.nat)-MOW15-22 and PnNL2018B-use ACE2 as their receptor, with narrow ortholog specificity. Cryoelectron microscopy structures of the MOW15-22/PnNL2018B RBD-ACE2 complexes unveil an unexpected and entirely distinct binding mode, mapping >45 Å away from that of any other known ACE2-using coronaviruses. Functional profiling of ACE2 orthologs from 105 mammalian species led to the identification of host tropism determinants, including an ACE2 N432-glycosylation restricting

SUBMITTER: Ma CB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12360793 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature