Comparative ACE2 variation and primate COVID-19 risk

• DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01370-w
• Publication Date: 2020-10-27T11:03:40Z
• Authors: Amanda D. Melin; Mareike C. Janiak; Frank Marrone; Paramjit S. Arora; James P. Higham
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Variation (astronomy)

Abstract The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has caused over a million human deaths and massive global disruption. viral infection may also represent threat to our closest living relatives, nonhuman primates. contact surface the host cell receptor, ACE2, displays amino acid residues that are critical for virus recognition, variations at these modulate susceptibility. Infection studies have shown some primate species develop COVID-19-like symptoms; however, susceptibility most primates is unknown. Here, we show all apes African Asian monkeys (catarrhines), exhibit same set twelve key as ACE2. Monkeys in Americas, tarsiers, lemurs lorisoids, differ residues, protein modeling predicts differences should greatly reduce binding affinity. Other predicted be closer catarrhines their Our study suggests monkeys, lemurs, likely highly susceptible SARS-CoV-2. Urgent actions been undertaken limit exposure great humans, similar efforts necessary many other species.