Chinese scientists report new coronavirus

Scientists from CHINA reported that the NeoCoV coronavirus identified in Africa has similar principles of penetration into cells with SARS-CoV-2 and can potentially pose a danger to humans. A preprint of the article by Chinese scientists is posted on the bioRxiv portal.

NeoCoV has been found in bats in South Africa and is still circulating in this population. However, scientists note that it has a hidden potential to mutate and, as a result, gain the ability to penetrate not only animal cells, but also humans. NeoCoV is a close relative of the MERS-CoV coronavirus, the causative agent of the Middle East respiratory syndrome, the outbreak of which was recorded in the 2010s.

“In this study, we unexpectedly found that NeoCoV and its close relative PDF-2180-CoV can effectively use some types of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2, the receptor through which some coronaviruses enter the body -) of the bat and, less favorably, ACE2 a person to penetrate [into the body],” the scientists write.

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic also uses ACE-2 to enter the body.