Molecular basis of sarbecovirus evolution and receptor tropism in natural hosts, potential intermediate hosts, and humans
The spike protein of many sarbecoviruses binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and facilitates viral entry. The diversification of the sarbecovirus spike gene and the mammalian ACE2 gene suggests that sarbecoviruses and their hosts have co-evolved, and the genetic diversity in these genes affects the host tropism of sarbecoviruses. Better comprehending the evolutionary potential of sarbecoviruses can lead to preparedness for the next pandemic. However, the host tropism of sarbecoviruses is not fully understood. Here, we performed pseudovirus infection assays using 53 sarbecoviruses and ACE2s from 17 mammals to elucidate the ACE2 tropism of sarbecoviruses in natural hosts, potential intermediate hosts, and humans. We determined the factors responsible for the ACE2 tropism of sarbecoviruses through structural and phylogenetic analyses and infection experiments, revealing which substitutions can expand the host range of sarbecoviruses. These results highlight the mechanisms modulating host tropism throughout sarbecovirus evolution.
Authors
- Arnon Plianchaisuk (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2416-0508)
- Kei Sato (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4431-1380)
- Osamu Nureki (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1813-7008)
- Kozo Matsumoto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1854-4076)
- Spyros Lytras (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4202-6682)
- Yoonjin Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2141-2407)
- Jarel Elgin Tolentino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0749-116X)
- Wataru Shihoya (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4813-5740)
- Shigeru Fujita (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9008-2123)
- Jumpei Ito (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0440-8321)
- Maximilian Stanley Yo
- Chen Luo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9884-523X)
- Yusuke Kosugi
Institutions
- Tokyo Medical University (JP)
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases (JP)
- MRC University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (GB)
- Imperial College London (GB)
- The University of Tokyo (JP)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cell Reports
- Published
- 2025-09-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116220
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.58
Funders
- Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
- Research Promotion Foundation
- University of Tokyo
- Shionogi
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo
- Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology