“relatives” of the coronavirus of the Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS-COV), as well as SARS-COV-2, fall into the body using angiotensin glossy enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is why they carry the risk of biosafety. This is stated in the preprint of research published on the Biorxiv platform, RIA Novosti reports.
So, scientists warned that Neocov and his close relative PDF-2180-COV could effectively use some types of ACE2 bats and a person for penetration.
In this case, in the case of a conventional mechanism of contamination with coronavirus, the virus clings for ACE2 on the cell surface through the spike protein on the cell surface and falls into it. According to experts, the study shows the first case of using ACE2 viruses associated with Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome.
“This unexpected use of the ACE2 of these close relatives MERS-COV emphasizes the hidden risk of biosafety, taking into account the combination of two potentially delicate characteristics – high mortality, which is observed in Mers-COV, and high transmission rates marked with SARS-COV-2, – Indicate the authors of the work.
Also, specialists noted that the study also indicates that the vaccine from coronavirus as a means of protection against infection with these viruses “is insufficient”.
Previously, scientists from China reported the risk of penetration into the human coronavirus NEOCOV population, the appearance of which was previously recorded in South Africa. As specialists stated, a certain mutation is needed to interact with the human body, so now it is only threatening volatile mice. However, they emphasize that the NEOCOV nature is still mysterious.