[HTML][HTML] SARS coronavirus, but not human coronavirus NL63, utilizes cathepsin L to infect ACE2-expressing cells
Viruses require specific cellular receptors to infect their target cells. Angiotensin-converting
enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a cellular receptor for two divergent coronaviruses, SARS coronavirus
(SARS-CoV) and human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63). In addition to hostcell receptors,
lysosomal cysteine proteases are required for productive infection by some viruses. Here we
show that SARS-CoV, but not HCoV-NL63, utilizes the enzymatic activity of the cysteine
protease cathepsin L to infect ACE2-expressing cells. Inhibitors of cathepsin L blocked …
enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a cellular receptor for two divergent coronaviruses, SARS coronavirus
(SARS-CoV) and human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63). In addition to hostcell receptors,
lysosomal cysteine proteases are required for productive infection by some viruses. Here we
show that SARS-CoV, but not HCoV-NL63, utilizes the enzymatic activity of the cysteine
protease cathepsin L to infect ACE2-expressing cells. Inhibitors of cathepsin L blocked …
