Nicotinic receptors as SARS-CoV-2 spike co-receptors?

Fiche publication


Date publication

janvier 2022

Journal

Medical hypotheses

Auteurs

Membres identifiés du Cancéropôle Est :
Pr POLETTE Myriam, Dr DORMOY Valerian


Tous les auteurs :
Dormoy V, Perotin JM, Gosset P, Maskos U, Polette M, Deslée G

Résumé

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play an important role in homeostasis and respiratory diseases. Controversies regarding the association between COVID-19 hospitalizations and smoking suggest that nAChRs may contribute to SARS-CoV-2 respiratory syndrome. We recently detailed the expression and localization of all nAChR subunits in the human lung. Since virus association with nAChRs has been shown in the past, we hypothesize that nAChR subunits act as SARS-CoV-2 Spike co-receptors. Based on sequence alignment analysis, we report domains of high molecular similarities in nAChRs with the binding domain of hACE2 for SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. This hypothesis supported by pilot data provides a rational for the modelling and the experimental validation of the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and the nAChRs.

Mots clés

ACE-2, Angiotensin converting enzyme-2, BR, Binding region, COVID-19, COVID-19, Coronavirus disease 2019, ETD, Extracellular topological domain, Lung, Nicotinic receptors, PDB, Protein data bank, RBD, Receptor binding domain, SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-2, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, hACE2, nAChRs, Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, vdw, Van der Waals

Référence

Med Hypotheses. 2022 Jan;158:110741