Publication

Replication-dependent downregulation of cellular angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 protein expression by human coronavirus NL63

Journal Paper/Review - Jun 20, 2012

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Dijkman R, Jebbink M, Deijs M, Milewska A, Pyrc K, Buelow E, van der Bijl A, van der Hoek L. Replication-dependent downregulation of cellular angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 protein expression by human coronavirus NL63. J Gen Virol 2012; 93:1924-9.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
J Gen Virol 2012; 93
Publication Date
Jun 20, 2012
Issn Electronic
1465-2099
Pages
1924-9
Brief description/objective

Like severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), human coronavirus (HCoV)-NL63 employs angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor for cellular entry. SARS-CoV infection causes robust downregulation of cellular ACE2 expression levels and it has been suggested that the SARS-CoV effect on ACE2 is involved in the severity of disease. We investigated whether cellular ACE2 downregulation occurs at optimal replication conditions of HCoV-NL63 infection. The expression of the homologue of ACE2, the ACE protein not used as a receptor by HCoV-NL63, was measured as a control. A specific decrease for ACE2 protein level was observed when HCoV-NL63 was cultured at 34 °C. Culturing the virus at the suboptimal temperature of 37 °C resulted in low replication of the virus and the effect on ACE2 expression was lost. We conclude that the decline of ACE2 expression is dependent on the efficiency of HCoV-NL63 replication, and that HCoV-NL63 and SARS-CoV both affect cellular ACE2 expression during infection.