How the Competition for Cysteine May Promote Infection of SARS-CoV-2 by Triggering Oxidative Stress.

ABSTRACT: SARS-CoV-2 induces a broad range of clinical manifestations. Besides the main receptor, ACE2, other putative receptors and co-receptors have been described and could become genuinely relevant to explain the different tropism manifested by new variants. In this study, we propose a biochemical model envisaging the competition for cysteine as a key mechanism promoting the infection and the selection of host receptors. The SARS-CoV-2 infection produces ROS and triggers a massive biosynthesis of proteins rich in cysteine; if this amino acid becomes limiting, glutathione levels are depleted and cannot control oxidative stress. Hence, infection succeeds. A receptor should be recognized as a marker of suitable intracellular conditions, namely the full availability of amino acids except for low cys

SUBMITTER: Vernone A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9952211 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature