Chinese scientists have discovered a new potentially dangerous 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. Most of them work at the University of Wuhan, the city where the first cases of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus were detected in late 2019.

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, can 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, an 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 bat angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2, the receptor through which some coronaviruses enter the body) from the bat and, less favorably, human ACE2. for penetration 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.

Chinese scientists note that their study describes the first use of ACE2 by “relatives” of the MERS-CoV coronavirus. This reveals a “potential biosecurity threat,” they note.

Scientists said that the behavior of the virus must be carefully monitored. At the same time, they emphasized that the nature of NeoCoV is still not sufficiently understood.