Nature Microbiology https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-020-0688-y (2020)

Screening of the receptor-binding domain of lineage B coronaviruses identifies their ability to infect cells of different species, their receptor usage and other boundaries to entry.

Coronaviruses can cross the species barrier into humans, and one of these lineage B coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2, is currently causing the global pandemic of COVID-19. Further understanding of the process through which these viruses infect human cells would aid in preparing for future potential outbreaks.

Letko et al. have developed a rapid, cost-effective screening platform for coronavirus entry into human cells that requires only the synthesis of the receptor-binding domain and have screened all published lineage B coronaviruses. They identify some lineage B coronaviruses that are able to enter human cells but find that some are challenged by the human protease. They confirm that SARS-CoV-2 uses the human ACE2 receptor to enter cells.