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Human cell receptors: potential drug targets to combat COVID-19

Pawan Kumar Raghav1, Keerthana Kalyanaraman2, Dinesh Kumar3

  • 1, New Delhi, India. pwnrghv@gmail.com.

Amino Acids
|May 5, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Understanding the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its host cell receptors, like Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), is crucial for developing effective COVID-19 therapies. This review details viral interactions and potential drug targets.

Area of Science:

  • Virology and Molecular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, a global pandemic.
  • Understanding viral entry mechanisms and host interactions is critical for therapeutic development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the general aspects of coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV).
  • To identify and discuss host cell receptors and interacting partners of SARS-CoV-2, focusing on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2).
  • To explore potential therapeutic strategies against COVID-19 based on viral-host interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of coronaviruses, their structures, and infection modes.
  • Analysis of host cell receptors (e.g., ACE2, DPP4, CD147) and their binding domains.
  • Discussion of ACE2 expression in various human organs and its role in COVID-19 infectivity.

Main Results:

  • Detailed comparison of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV.
  • Identification of multiple host receptors and protein targets involved in coronavirus entry.
  • Highlighting the critical role of ACE2 in the Renin-Angiotensin system and its implications for COVID-19 pathogenesis and infectivity across different tissues.

Conclusions:

  • Human cell receptors, particularly ACE2, are pivotal in coronavirus pathogenesis.
  • Targeting these receptors and their interactions offers a promising avenue for developing specific antiviral drugs.
  • Understanding ACE2 expression patterns may inform strategies to limit SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Keywords:
ACE2COVID-19CoronavirusSARS-CoVSARS-CoV-2WHO

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