Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2025

Methods to Study Lipid Alterations in Neutrophils and the Subsequent Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps
10:58

Methods to Study Lipid Alterations in Neutrophils and the Subsequent Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

Published on: March 29, 2017

9.6K

Lipid rafts disruption by statins negatively impacts the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 S1 subunit and ACE2 in

Marianne El Khoury1, Hassan Y Naim1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|January 23, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Statins like fluvastatin and simvastatin reduce SARS-CoV-2 entry by lowering ACE2 expression and its association with cholesterol-rich lipid rafts. These drugs show promise for treating COVID-19 by inhibiting viral interaction with host cells.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) primarily affects the respiratory system but can impact the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Cholesterol is vital for cellular membranes and influences the infectivity of various viruses.
  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, is linked to cholesterol-rich lipid rafts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of statins on ACE2 trafficking and cholesterol modulation.
  • To assess the impact of cholesterol on the interaction between ACE2 and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S1 subunit).

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Caco-2 cells to study statin effects on ACE2.
  • Modulated cholesterol levels and observed effects on ACE2 expression and localization.
  • Quantified the interaction between ACE2 and the S1 subunit.

Main Results:

  • Fluvastatin and simvastatin significantly reduced ACE2 expression.
  • Statins impaired ACE2's association with lipid rafts and brush border membrane localization.
  • A substantial reduction in ACE2 interaction with the S1 subunit was observed.

Conclusions:

  • Statins, particularly fluvastatin, demonstrate potential as a therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2.
  • Modulating cholesterol via statins can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry by affecting ACE2 receptor function.
Keywords:
SARS-CoV-2lipid raftsprotein traffickingprotein–protein interactionstatins

More Related Videos

Lipid Exchange Assay in Living Cells08:59

Lipid Exchange Assay in Living Cells

Published on: March 21, 2025

442
Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 using Immuno RNA-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization05:23

Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 using Immuno RNA-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

Published on: December 23, 2020

6.1K

Related Concept Videos

Membrane Fluidity01:26

Membrane Fluidity

Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...
11.2K
Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER01:28

Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER

Biological membranes are more than just a barrier separating cell cytoplasm from the outside environment. They are highly dynamic and help maintain the integrity and physiological stability of the cells as well as membrane-bound organelles. Membranes also play vital roles in cell-to-cell and intracellular communication.
A large chunk of any biological membrane is composed of phospholipids. These lipids have a heterogeneous distribution across different subcellular organelles and even between...
3.2K
Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents01:20

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents

Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
661
Membrane Domains01:18

Membrane Domains

The membrane domains concentrate specific lipids and proteins at one place within the membrane, which helps in cell signaling, adhesion, and other critical cellular processes. These domains can differ in size, composition, function, and lifespan.
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the...
5.4K
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Drug Permeability, Stability and Stereochemistry01:20

Factors Affecting Dissolution: Drug Permeability, Stability and Stereochemistry

Orally administered drugs primarily enter the systemic circulation via passive diffusion through the intestinal membranes. The drug's absorption is influenced by drug stability in the gastrointestinal GI tract, membrane permeability, the surface area available for absorption, luminal drug concentration, and residence time in the lumen. Drug permeability can be enhanced by adjusting the lipophilicity, polarity, or molecular size of the drug, promoting its passive transport across intestinal...
208