Researchers in China have discovered a new bat coronavirus that can potentially infect humans using the same receptor as SARS-CoV-2. Shi Zhengli, a prominent virologist, led the study, which confirms the virus’s ability to bind to the ACE2 receptor and its genetic lineage to significant coronaviruses, including those causing Mers. This finding raises concerns about zoonotic viruses and animal-to-human transmission.
A team of Chinese researchers has identified a new bat coronavirus that poses a risk of animal-to-human transmission, as it utilizes the same human receptor targeted by the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for Covid-19. The study was spearheaded by Shi Zhengli, a prominent virologist often referred to as the “batwoman” due to her extensive investigations into coronaviruses, and included collaboration with researchers from various prestigious institutions such as Guangzhou Academy of Sciences and Wuhan University.
This new virus belongs to the HKU5 lineage, which was initially discovered in the Japanese pipistrelle bat in Hong Kong. The virus falls under the merbecovirus subgenus, which also comprises the causative agent of Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers). Notably, the virus exhibits the ability to bind to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, analogous to the mechanism employed by the SARS-CoV-2 virus to infect human cells.
Shi Zhengli is widely recognized for her research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, located in the city at the center of debates regarding the origins of Covid-19. While theories have proposed a lab leak as a potential source of the outbreak, Shi has consistently denied that her institute was responsible. There remains a lack of consensus on the origins of the virus, although some studies propose that it originated in bats before crossing over to humans through an intermediary host.
The identification of a new bat coronavirus with the potential for human infection underscores the ongoing risks associated with zoonotic diseases. Led by Shi Zhengli, the research highlights significant findings regarding the virus’s capability to bind to the same ACE2 receptor as the SARS-CoV-2 virus, adding another layer of concern in the context of global health surveillance and pandemic preparedness.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
