Unlocking the Secrets of Coronavirus Cell Entry

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led scientists to uncover crucial details about how the SARS-CoV-2 virus interacts with human cells. A recent study published in Cell sheds light on the specific proteins and cells involved in this process, providing valuable insights for the development of new treatments.

Researchers from MIT, the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, along with international colleagues, have identified specific types of cells that appear to be targets of the coronavirus. These cells, found in the lung, nasal passages, and intestine, express higher levels of RNA for proteins essential for viral entry.

One key protein, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), is a receptor on human cells that binds to the viral 'spike' protein, allowing the virus to enter host cells. Another crucial protein, TMPRSS2, an enzyme called, helps activate the coronavirus spike protein, facilitating cell entry.

The study's lead authors, MIT graduate students Carly Ziegler, Samuel Allon, and Sarah Nyquist, along with researcher Ian Mbano from the Africa Health Research Institute in Durban, South Africa, worked together to uncover these findings. Senior authors David Shalek and Jose Ordovas-Montanes, a former MIT postdoc now running his own lab at Boston Children's Hospital, led the research.

The researchers hope their discoveries will guide scientists developing new drug treatments or repurposing existing drugs for treating COVID-19. By sharing their data with the scientific community, they aim to accelerate ongoing efforts in the fight against this pandemic.

In summary, understanding the mechanisms of coronavirus cell entry is crucial for developing effective treatments and vaccines. This study's findings provide valuable insights into the specific proteins and cells involved in this process, paving the way for future research and potential breakthroughs in the battle against COVID-19.

Corona virus cell