Chinese researchers have discovered a new bat coronavirus called HKU5-CoV-2, which can infect human cells. This virus utilizes the ACE2 receptor, the same entry point that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, uses to invade human cells. This finding has sparked concerns about possible zoonotic transmission, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring of viruses carried by bats.
What Is HKU5-CoV-2 and How Was It Found?
Researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, under the leadership of virologist Shi Zhengli, identified HKU5-CoV-2 in bat populations. This virus is part of the merbecovirus subgenus, which also encompasses the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus. As reported by Reuters, laboratory tests showed that the virus can bind to the ACE2 receptor, a key factor for its entry into human cells.
Scientists have observed that, despite its similarities to SARS-CoV-2, HKU5-CoV-2 binds to human cells less efficiently, which could limit its ability to spread widely. Nevertheless, the existence of a furin cleavage site—a crucial factor that boosts viral infectivity—suggests that this virus might still present a risk.
