Primary cilium and TULP3-dependent ciliary targeting of ACE2 in SARS-CoV-2 tropism
Our findings demonstrate the first evidence of a dedicated ciliary trafficking machinery for ACE2. We provide compelling evidence that SARS-CoV-2 hijacks evolutionarily conserved ciliary trafficking pathways, with TULP3-dependent targeting of ACE2 to primary cilia serving as a determinant of viral host cell tropism and invasion. This work uncovers novel molecular mechanisms underpinning SARS-CoV-2 infection, and highlights the primary cilium as a critical nexus for viral entry.
Authors
- Qian-Yuan Tang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2821-0494)
- Chee Wah Tan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9837-1413)
- Ruklanthi de Alwis
- Xing‐Lou Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5317-8983)
- Catherine Hong Huan Hor
- Zhiren Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5238-2835)
- Hongyan Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6887-2548)
- Bor Luen Tang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1925-636X)
- Xiaohua Hong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5294-7445)
- Shiying Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2756-495X)
- Run Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7467-4896)
- Yun Hong Du
- Wai Lam Tung (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2470-5747)
Institutions
- Hong Kong Baptist University (HK)
- National University of Singapore (SG)
- Kunming Institute of Zoology (CN)
- Duke-NUS Medical School (SG)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cell Communication and Signaling
- Published
- 2025-11-28
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-025-02519-y
- Primary Topic
- Genetic and Kidney Cyst Diseases
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
- Duke-NUS Medical School
- Hong Kong Baptist University