Belouzard S, Millet JK, Licitra BN, et al. Mechanisms of coronavirus cell entry mediated by the viral spike protein. Viruses 2012;4:1011-1033. [Free, full text]
Coronaviruses are the agents of feline infectious peritonitis, a lethal disease of cats. The entry mechanism of the virus into cells is the subject of much research, as it could potentially be a target for antiviral drugs. This research was performed at the Pasteur Institute in Lille, France and at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. The investigators have characterized the mechanism and have determined that the spike protein of the virus is important in virus entry. In addition, they have characterized the cell receptor used by the virus for attachment and entry. These findings contribute to the increasing understanding of the mechanism of replication of this important pathogen of cats. [MK]
See also: Kilianski A, Baker SC. Cell-based antiviral screening against coronaviruses: Developing virus-specific and broad-spectrum inhibitors. Antiviral Res 2014;101:105-112.
