“Summary: … Cell entry of coronaviruses depends on binding of the viral spike (S) proteins to cellular receptors and on S protein priming by host cell proteases. Unravelling which cellular factors are used by SARS-CoV-2 for entry might provide insights into viral transmission and reveal therapeutic targets. Here, we demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 uses the SARS-CoV receptor ACE2 for entry and the serine protease TMPRSS2 for S protein priming. A TMPRSS2 inhibitor approved for clinical use blocked entry and might constitute a treatment option. Finally, we show that the sera from convalescent SARS patients cross-neutralized SARS-2-S-driven entry. Our results reveal important commonalities between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV infection and identify a potential target for antiviral intervention.”
This paper is published under open access. Open access (OA) is a way of publishing scholarly content in which articles are immediately accessible upon publication to readers, free of charge, and usually with no or few restrictions regarding reuse, via a Creative Commons licence. Authors typically retain the copyright of their work. Costs for publication are covered by article publishing charges. Source: https://www.cell.com/open-access?__hstc=109691226.e4e812b53ff324eccbdbdb2e4fb9a6ab.1644503737405.1644524234622.1644587109507.4&__hssc=109691226.7.1644587109507&__hsfp=3253153019