Bat Virus: Human Infection Risk – Scientists Warn
- Certain bat viruses, closely related to the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-cov), might be only a minor mutation away from infecting human populations, potentially triggering another pandemic,...
- The research, published in Nature Communications, examined merbecoviruses, the same viral subgenus as MERS-CoV, to understand how they infect cells.
- "Merbecoviruses – and HKU5 viruses in particular – really hadn't been looked at much,but our study shows how these viruses infect cells," said Michael Letko,a virologist at WSU's...
Scientists warn that bat viruses, specifically the HKU5 subgroup, may pose a significant human infection risk. A new study reveals that these viruses, closely related to MERS-CoV, could be just a mutation away from causing the next pandemic. The research, conducted by Washington State University and others, highlights how these merbecoviruses utilize the ACE2 receptor, similar to SARS-CoV-2, making them a potential threat.Mutations in the HKU5 spike protein are of concern, with the potential to infect humans a key finding. AI modeling provides new insights into these viruses. News Directory 3 provides this developing story. What are the implications of this research for future outbreaks and how can we best prepare? Discover what’s next …
Bat Viruses May Pose Human Spillover Risk, Study Finds
Certain bat viruses, closely related to the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-cov), might be only a minor mutation away from infecting human populations, potentially triggering another pandemic, according to a new study.
The research, published in Nature Communications, examined merbecoviruses, the same viral subgenus as MERS-CoV, to understand how they infect cells. Scientists from Washington State University (WSU), the California Institute of Technology, and the University of North Carolina participated in the study. They determined that while most merbecoviruses don’t appear to directly threaten humans, the HKU5 subgroup exhibits concerning characteristics.
“Merbecoviruses – and HKU5 viruses in particular – really hadn’t been looked at much,but our study shows how these viruses infect cells,” said Michael Letko,a virologist at WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “What we also found is HKU5 viruses may be only a small step away from being able to spill over into humans.”
Letko’s team focused on merbecoviruses as they have received limited attention outside of MERS-CoV, a zoonotic coronavirus transmitted from camels to humans that emerged in 2012.MERS-CoV causes severe respiratory illness and has a mortality rate of about 34%.
Like other coronaviruses, merbecoviruses use a spike protein to bind to receptors and invade host cells.The team discovered that HKU5 viruses, found across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, use the ACE2 host receptor, similar to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Currently, HKU5 viruses primarily use the ACE2 gene in bats but do not effectively use the human version.
Researchers found mutations in the spike protein of HKU5 viruses from Japanese house bats (Pipisirellus Abram) in asia that could allow the viruses to bind to ACE2 receptors in other species, including humans. Earlier this year, another study documented an HKU5 virus jumping into minks in China, demonstrating the potential for these viruses to cross species barriers.
“These viruses are so closely related to MERS,so we have to be concerned if they ever infect humans,” Letko said. “While there’s no evidence they’ve crossed into people yet, the potential is there — and that makes them worth watching.” The study highlights the potential role of these viruses in future outbreaks.
Victoria Jefferson, a WSU postdoctoral researcher, used artificial intelligence via AlphaFold 3 to model how the HKU5 spike protein binds to ACE2 at the molecular level. This modeling could improve understanding of how antibodies might block infection or how the virus could mutate. Jefferson’s AI-driven analysis matched results obtained through traditional lab methods.
What’s next
Letko said the study and its methods could be applied to future research projects and aid in developing new vaccines and treatments.