tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Viruses
. 2021 Apr 9;13(4):645.
doi: 10.3390/v13040645.
The Spike Glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 Binds to ?1 Integrins Expressed on the Surface of Lung Epithelial Cells
Eun Jeong Park[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Phyoe Kyawe Myint[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Michael Gyasi Appiah[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Samuel Darkwah[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Siqingaowa Caidengbate[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Atsushi Ito[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Eri Matsuo[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Eiji Kawamoto[SUP] 1 3 [/SUP], Arong Gaowa[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Motomu Shimaoka[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
The spike glycoprotein attached to the envelope of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) binds to and exploits angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as an entry receptor to infect pulmonary epithelial cells. A subset of integrins that recognize the arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid (RGD) sequence in the cognate ligands has been predicted in silico to bind the spike glycoprotein and, thereby, to be exploited for viral infection. Here, we show experimental evidence that the ?1 integrins predominantly expressed on human pulmonary epithelial cell lines and primary mouse alveolar epithelial cells bind to this spike protein. The cellular ?1 integrins support adhesive interactions with the spike protein independently of ACE2, suggesting the possibility that the ?1 integrins may function as an alternative receptor for SARS-CoV-2, which could be targeted for the prevention of viral infections.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; alveolar epithelial cells; angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; cell adhesion; integrin; spike 1 protein.
. 2021 Apr 9;13(4):645.
doi: 10.3390/v13040645.
The Spike Glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 Binds to ?1 Integrins Expressed on the Surface of Lung Epithelial Cells
Eun Jeong Park[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Phyoe Kyawe Myint[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Michael Gyasi Appiah[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Samuel Darkwah[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Siqingaowa Caidengbate[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Atsushi Ito[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Eri Matsuo[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Eiji Kawamoto[SUP] 1 3 [/SUP], Arong Gaowa[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Motomu Shimaoka[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 33918599
- DOI: 10.3390/v13040645
Abstract
The spike glycoprotein attached to the envelope of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) binds to and exploits angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as an entry receptor to infect pulmonary epithelial cells. A subset of integrins that recognize the arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid (RGD) sequence in the cognate ligands has been predicted in silico to bind the spike glycoprotein and, thereby, to be exploited for viral infection. Here, we show experimental evidence that the ?1 integrins predominantly expressed on human pulmonary epithelial cell lines and primary mouse alveolar epithelial cells bind to this spike protein. The cellular ?1 integrins support adhesive interactions with the spike protein independently of ACE2, suggesting the possibility that the ?1 integrins may function as an alternative receptor for SARS-CoV-2, which could be targeted for the prevention of viral infections.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; alveolar epithelial cells; angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; cell adhesion; integrin; spike 1 protein.