Dödligt virus från Kina orsakar panik (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19)

These QSo strain viral spike glycoproteins will be synthesized, and those binding to human cell receptor ACE2 will be inserted into SARSr-CoV backbones

At WIV, 20 adult wild Rhinolophus spp. bats (10 of each sex) will be captured at our test cave site, housed within ABSL3, ACE2 receptor genes sequenced and used to pre-screen spikes as above, then bats will be tested using PCR and serology for current and prior exposure to SARSr-CoVs, and inoculated with WIV1, WIV16 or SHC014.” (D1, p.20).

Synthesis of Chimeric Novel SARSr-CoV QS: We will commercially synthesize SARSr-CoV2 S glycoprotein genes, designed for insertion into SHC014 or WIV16 molecular clone backbones (88% and 97% S-protein identity to epidemic SARS-Urbani). These are BSL-3, not select agents or subject to P3CO (they use bat SARSr-CoV backbones which are exempt) and are pathogenic to hACE2 transgenic mice.”

This will be supplemented by characterization of isolated viruses under DEFUSE (at WIV), approximately 15-20 bat SARSr-CoV spike proteins/year (at UNC, WIV), and >180 bat SARSr-CoV strains sequenced in our prior work and not yet examined for spillover potential.”

We will analyze all SARSr-CoV S gene sequences for appropriately conserved proteolytic cleavage sites in S2 and for the presence of potential Furin cleavage sites74,75”. SARSr-CoV S with mismatches in proteolytic cleavage sites can be activated by exogenous Trypsin or Cathepsin L. Where clear mismatches occur, we will introduce appropriate human-specific cleavage sites and evaluate growth potential in Vero cells and HAE cultures.”