The spike glycoprotein of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV contains a furin-like cleavage site absent in CoV of the same clade
Author:B. Coutard,C. Valle,X. de Lamballerie,B. Canard,N.G. Seidah,E. Decroly
Publication:Antiviral Research
Publisher:Elsevier
Date:Available online 10 February 2020
? 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
[h=2]Highlights[/h] •The genomic sequence of 2019-nCoV indicates that the virus clusters with betacoronaviruses of lineage b. •The protein sequence has a specific furin-like cleavage site absent in lineage b CoV, including SARS-CoV sequences. •The furin-like cleavage site may play a role in the viral life cycle and pathogenicity. •Campaigns to develop anti-2019-nCoV therapeutics should include the evaluation of furin inhibitors.
