The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 facilitates viral entry into the target cell exploiting the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. The ACE2 gene is highly conserved in mammalian animals at the DNA and peptide level, which makes them the potential hosts for SARS-CoV-2.

A recent study found that the ACE2 gene was discovered in 12 common mammals. Among these 12 mammals, humans are the main host of SARS-CoV-2; mice are commonly used experimental animal models; bats and pangolins are suspected to be the intermediate host; cats, dogs, ferrets, and hamsters are pets; cattle, pigs, rabbits, and goats are common livestock. ^[1] Besides these 12 mammals, paguma larvata, an important host of SARS, also has ACE2 expression ^[2].

At ACROBiosystems, we verified the binding activity between different species of ACE2 and S1 or S RBD proteins using ELISA/SPR/BLI. Check out which one will be the suitable animal model.

※  Bioactivity-BLI

We investigated the binding activity between the ACE2 of human, cynomolgus or paguma larvata, and the S RBD of SARS-CoV-2 using BLI. The binding activities of human and cynomolgus ACE2 to the S RBD of SARS-CoV2 are much higher than paguma larvata ACE2.

※  Bioactivity-ELISA

Paguma larvata is an important host of SARS. Its ACE2 receptor protein also showed a very good binding ability to the S protein of SARS-CoV-2, though not comparable to human and cynomolgus ACE2. 

※  Bioactivity-SPR

An SPR method was also used to investigate the binding affinity between paguma larvata ACE2 and S RBD or S1 protein of SARS and SARS-CoV-2. Based on the results, we concluded that paguma larvata ACE2 is more susceptible to SARS.

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Reference：
[1] Sun et al., 2020 Atlas of ACE2 gene expression in mammals reveals novel insights in transmisson of SARS-Cov-2, doi: http://life.acrobiosystems.cn/e/535472/10-1101-2020-03-30-015644/2dvml2l/919136533?h=gTzj8imS4yO1h7_OQo8L-d7H5Io6YwQ2DgGxOe_YAUQ

[2] Stawiski et al., 2020 Human ACE2 receptor polymorphisms predict SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility. doi: http://life.acrobiosystems.cn/e/535472/10-1101-2020-04-07-024752/2dvml2n/919136533?h=gTzj8imS4yO1h7_OQo8L-d7H5Io6YwQ2DgGxOe_YAUQ