The Possible Role of Microbial Proteases in Facilitating SARS-CoV-2 Brain Invasion

SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to display proclivity towards organs bearing angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) expression cells. Of interest herein is the ability of the virus to exhibit neurotropism. However, there is limited information on how this virus invades the brain. With this contribution, we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biology (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2021-09, Vol.10 (10), p.966
Main Authors: Mjokane, Nozethu, Folorunso, Olufemi S., Ogundeji, Adepemi O., Sebolai, Olihile M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ACE2
Angiotensin
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
Binding sites
Brain research
Cell fusion
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
co-infection
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Cryptococcus
Cytokine storm
Disease transmission
Endocytosis
Endothelial cells
Glycoproteins
Homeostasis
Infections
Kinases
Lungs
Membrane fusion
Mortality
neurotropism
Opinion
Pathogenesis
Pathogens
Peptidyl-dipeptidase A
Pneumonia
protease
Proteinase
Proteins
SARS-CoV-2
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Spike glycoprotein
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Summary:SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to display proclivity towards organs bearing angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) expression cells. Of interest herein is the ability of the virus to exhibit neurotropism. However, there is limited information on how this virus invades the brain. With this contribution, we explore how, in the context of a microbial co-infection using a cryptococcal co-infection as a model, SARS-CoV-2 could reach the brain. We theorise that the secretion of proteases by disseminated fungal cells might also activate the S2 domain of the viral spike glycoprotein for membrane fusion with brain endothelial cells leading to endocytosis. Understanding this potential invasion mechanism could lead to better SARS-CoV-2 intervention measures, which may also be applicable in instances of co-infection, especially with protease-secreting pathogens.
ISSN:2079-7737
2079-7737
DOI:10.3390/biology10100966