The article discusses the discovery of a novel coronavirus isolated from farmed minks, termed mink respiratory coronavirus (MRCoV), associated with pneumonia. This virus is revealed to use ACE2 as its receptor, which also serves the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The molecular analysis indicates similar binding patterns to ACE2 between MRCoV and SARS-CoV-2 despite structural differences. The findings suggest the importance of monitoring wildlife, especially fur-bearing animals, as potential intermediaries in the transmission of coronaviruses to humans.
Our findings highlight an important linkage between mink-derived respiratory coronaviruses and potential zoonotic spillovers, emphasizing the need for monitoring fur animals in disease transmission.
MRCoV, while structurally distinct from SARS-CoV-2, binds similarly to ACE2 receptors, raising concerns about its potential as another vector for human infections.
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