ACE2 and TMPRSS2 variation in savanna monkeys (Chlorocebus spp.): Potential risk for zoonotic/anthroponotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and a potential model for functional studies
Christopher A. Schmitt, Christina M. Bergey, Anna J. Jasinska, Vasily Ramensky, Felicity Burt, Hannes Svardal, Matthew J. Jorgensen, Nelson B. Freimer, J. Paul Grobler, Trudy R. Turner
Schmitt et al (2020) PLOS ONE, 15(6), e0235106. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235106
PDF of preprint available from ResearchSquare
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has devastated health infrastructure around the world. Both ACE2 (an entry receptor) and TMPRSS2 (used by the virus for spike protein priming) are key proteins to SARS-CoV-2 cell entry, enabling progression to COVID-19 in humans. Comparative genomic research into critical ACE2 binding sites, associated with the spike receptor binding domain, has suggested that African and Asian primates may also be susceptible to disease from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Savanna monkeys (Chlorocebus spp.) are a widespread non-human primate with well-established potential as a bi-directional zoonotic/anthroponotic agent due to high levels of human interaction throughout their range in sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. To characterize potential functional variation in savanna monkey ACE2 and TMPRSS2, we inspected recently published genomic data from 245 savanna monkeys, including 163 wild monkeys from Africa and the Caribbean and 82 captive monkeys from the Vervet Research Colony (VRC). We found several missense variants. One missense variant in ACE2 (X:14,077,550; Asp30Gly), common in Ch. sabaeus, causes a change in amino acid residue that has been inferred to reduce binding efficiency of SARS-CoV-2, suggesting potentially reduced susceptibility. The remaining populations appear as susceptible as humans, based on these criteria for receptor usage. All missense variants observed in wild Ch. sabaeus populations are also present in the VRC, along with two splice acceptor variants (at X:14,065,076) not observed in the wild sample that are potentially disruptive to ACE2 function. The presence of these variants in the VRC suggests a promising model for SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccine and therapy development. In keeping with a One Health approach, characterizing actual susceptibility and potential for bi-directional zoonotic/anthroponotic transfer in savanna monkey populations may be an important consideration for controlling COVID-19 epidemics in communities with frequent human/non-human primate interactions that, in many cases, may have limited health infrastructure.
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Mounting evidence suggests many primates are at risk for COVID-19, but our computational analyses hint that savanna monkeys (AKA vervets to some) may vary in susceptibility. Led by Chris Schmitt (@fuzzyatelin) with a small contribution by me born of an @nyuanthro alum group chat. https://t.co/3u3T4CqRqg
— Christina Bergey (@bergeycm) June 25, 2020
Our paper on #ACE2 and #TMPRSS2 variation–the genes coding for the main receptors for #SARSCoV2 in our cells–in savanna monkeys (genus #Chlorocebus, or #vervets) is just out in @PLOSONE! Let me walk you through what we did and what this means… 1/24https://t.co/N55C14vFP6
— Dr. Christopher Schmitt (@fuzzyatelin) June 23, 2020