In the fight against the global coronavirus pandemic, a team of scientists from the Rudolf Virchow Center at the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg is providing new findings. They have discovered new details about the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and human cells that could explain the virus's high infection rate.
In their study, which was published in the journal “Angewandte Chemie”, the researchers report on their investigations into how the virus binds to the cells. Contrary to the general assumption that the virus uses multiple binding sites at the same time, the researchers found that in fact only a single binding is sufficient to trigger an infection.
Looking for the “door opener”
“SARS-CoV-2 carries an average of 20 to 40 spike-like spike proteins on its surface, with which it binds to so-called ACE2 receptors on the cell surface. This binding is the crucial step in infection,” explains Prof. Markus Sauer, one of the leaders of the study.
To make this process visible, the Würzburg scientists used a method called super-resolution microscopy, with which they were able to visualize the receptors and their interaction with the spike proteins.
One is enough
“We found that a single binding between a spike protein and an ACE2 receptor is enough to enable infection,” says Simone Backes, one of the study’s co-authors. “The idea that a virus particle with multiple spike proteins can bind to multiple receptors simultaneously is therefore unlikely.”
The theory that the ACE2 receptors could appear in pairs or groups of three in order to bind more efficiently to the spike proteins was also refuted. “Our studies show that the ACE2 receptors only occur individually in the membrane and that a single spike protein is sufficient to trigger binding and thus infection ,” says Gerti Beliu, group leader at the Rudolf Virchow Center.
The next stage
The new understanding of the virus's infection mechanisms could help develop new approaches to prevent and treat COVID-19. The researchers now plan to further analyze the infection mechanism using high-resolution light sheet microscopy.
“Our goal is to collect as much information as possible about the mechanism by which the virus enters the cell,” says Sauer. “The more we know about how the virus enters the cell, the better we can develop prevention and treatment strategies.
This new key to understanding how the coronavirus efficiently spreads its infection could therefore be an important step towards more effective control of the pandemic.
What does this mean for the population?
This research has the potential to have a significant impact on the population. First, it is important to understand that the findings primarily concern the medical community and those involved in developing new treatment and prevention strategies for COVID-19. But how can they affect the general population?
- Improved prevention and treatment :
If this research leads to new prevention or treatment strategies, it could mean that populations will be more effectively protected from COVID-19 in the future. This could also lead to better treatment outcomes for those who become ill with COVID-19. - Awareness and understanding :
Disseminating this research can increase general awareness and understanding of how SARS-CoV-2 works and how it spreads. This can help reduce fear and uncertainty about the virus and can encourage people to adhere to prevention measures. - Vaccinations and therapies :
A detailed understanding of the entry mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 into human cells could contribute to the development of new vaccines or therapeutic approaches. Existing vaccines and therapies could also potentially be optimized based on these findings.
The impact of this research on the population will not be immediately apparent. It will take time for the results to be translated into practical applications. Nevertheless, these research results are an important step in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fact check: A single binding is the key to the efficient spread of SARS-CoV-2″
Claim 1: A virus particle binds to an ACE2 receptor with only one spike protein
The Würzburg researchers argue that it is unlikely that a virus particle with multiple spike proteins binds to multiple receptors at the same time. Instead, they postulate that a single bond is enough to enable infection.
Fact check: This statement is based on the method of super-resolution microscopy, which allowed researchers to visualize the binding sites at the cellular level. Previous assumptions were made mainly based on the fact that the virus has multiple spike proteins and could therefore bind to multiple receptors. However, new research suggests that's not the case. In this regard, the claim has scientific validity.
Claim 2: ACE2 receptors are only present individually in the cell membrane
The researchers argue that the ACE2 receptors that the virus binds to are present individually and not in pairs or groups.
Fact Check: This statement is based on the same microscopic research conducted for the first claim. Prior to this research, it was thought that the ACE2 receptors might exist in pairs or groups to bind to the spike proteins more efficiently. But the Würzburg research shows that the receptors appear individually. This claim also has scientific basis.
Claim 3: The new findings could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies against COVID-19
The researchers claim that their new understanding of the virus's infection mechanisms could lead to new approaches to the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
Fact check: This is a plausible statement. A better understanding of the virus's infection mechanisms can potentially help develop better prevention and treatment strategies. However, it is important to note that further research is needed to identify and test such strategies.
Conclusion:
The claims of the Würzburg researchers are based on solid scientific research and are therefore convincing. Their research results could have important implications for understanding the infection mechanisms of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and contribute to the development of prevention and treatment strategies. However, further research is needed to determine the exact implications of these findings.
Source and original publication:
Coronaviruses Use ACE2 Monomers as Entry Receptors.
Patrick Eiring, Teresa Klein, Simone Backes, Marcel Streit, Marvin Jungblut, Sören Doose, Gerti Beliu, Markus Sauer, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, e202300821, March 27, 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202300821
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Notes:
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