Possible host-adaptation of SARS-CoV-2 due to improved ACE2 receptor binding in mink

Matthijs R. A. Welkers, Alvin X. Han, Chantal B. E. M. Reusken, Dirk Eggink

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39 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections on mink farms are increasingly observed in several countries, leading to the massive culling of animals on affected farms. Recent studies showed multiple (anthropo)zoonotic transmission events between humans and mink on these farms. Mink-derived SARS-CoV-2 sequences from The Netherlands and Denmark contain multiple substitutions in the S protein receptor binding domain (RBD). Molecular modeling showed that these substitutions increase the mean binding energy, suggestive of potential adaptation of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein to the mink angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. These substitutions could possibly also impact human ACE2 binding affinity as well as humoral immune responses directed to the RBD region of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein in humans. We wish to highlight these observations to raise awareness and urge for the continued surveillance of mink (and other animal)-related infections.
Original languageEnglish
Article numberveaa094
JournalVirus evolution
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2021

Keywords

  • SARS-CoV-2
  • host adaptation
  • humoral immunity
  • mink
  • protein structure
  • public health

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