The ACE2 Receptor for Coronavirus Entry Is Localized at Apical Cell-Cell Junctions of Epithelial Cells.

ABSTRACT: Transmembrane proteins of adherens and tight junctions are known targets for viruses and bacterial toxins. The coronavirus receptor ACE2 has been localized at the apical surface of epithelial cells, but it is not clear whether ACE2 is localized at apical Cell-Cell junctions and whether it associates with junctional proteins. Here we explored the expression and localization of ACE2 and its association with transmembrane and tight junction proteins in epithelial tissues and cultured cells by data mining, immunoblotting, immunofluorescence microscopy, and co-immunoprecipitation experiments. ACE2 mRNA is abundant in epithelial tissues, where its expression correlates with the expression of the tight junction proteins cingulin and occludin. In cultured epithelial cells ACE2 mRNA is upregulated

SUBMITTER: Rouaud F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8870730 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature