The rampant corona virus still poses many puzzles. What makes Sars-CoV-2 so infectious? Why are there so different Covid 19 symptoms? And why can some infected people no longer smell? Now there could be plausible answers. Sars-CoV-2 most likely has the ability to use a second route as a gateway into the cell. This was found out by two research teams with different studies independently of each other. Unlike its predecessor, Sars-CoV-2 not only uses the so-called ACE2 receptor (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme2) to get into the cell, but could also penetrate the cell at a second point called Neuropilin-1. This finding could also explain why there are so many different symptoms in Covid 19 diseases.

Accidental discovery of Covid-19 antibodies docking incorrectly

Previously, it was assumed that Sars-CoV-2 docks with the spike proteins on the cell’s ACE2 receptor in order to then set in motion a process that allows the virus to penetrate the inside of the cell. However, when comparing Sars-CoV-2 with its predecessor, the researchers at the Technical University of Munich identified a crucial peculiarity: “The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein differs from its older relative by the addition of a furin cleavage site”, explains Mikael Simons, who was involved in the study as a professor of molecular neurobiology, in a press release.

New gateway or new door opener?

Put simply, the virus can cleave using an enzyme found in the airways. This creates two new proteins: called S1 and S2. S1 has similarities with a peptide that can bind to neuropilin-1 in the cell. In this way, Sars-CoV-2 could also get into the cells that have a neuropilin-1 receptor on their surface – and into those that have no ACE2 receptor at all.

Dizziness and loss of taste neuro-symptoms much more common than thought

“If you imagine ACE2 as the entrance door into the cell, then neuropilin-1 could be a factor that directs the virus to the door,” Simons is quoted further. “ACE2 is expressed in very low levels in most cells. As a result, it is not easy for the virus to find doors to enter. Other factors, such as neuropilin-1, appear to be necessary to help the virus.” The researchers do not rule out that SARS-CoV-2 can penetrate cells even without ACE2 in the event of a very high viral load.

The battlefield is identified in the nose corona hotspots in the body

Neuropilin-1 is found in many different cells: It is produced, for example, in the tissue of the airways, in blood vessels and in neurons. This could explain why Sars-CoV-2 can spread quickly and almost anywhere in the body. An infection with Sars-CoV-1, however, remains largely limited to the lower respiratory tract. A particularly high concentration of Neuropilin-1 is found in the so-called olfactory epithelium, i.e. in the mucous membrane in the upper area of ​​the nasal cavity. In connection with the study results, this could explain why smell and taste disorders are among the common symptoms of Covid-19.

Compared to the influenza virus, the coronavirus remains active on the skin for hours

The Simons research team therefore examined the olfactory epithelium of six deceased Covid-19 patients and discovered that it was infected by Sars-CoV-2. “The viruses were also found here in neutral precursor cells. This indicates a possible infection of the brain, to which there is a direct connection via the olfactory epithelium,” writes the German Medical Journal. It is conceivable that a blockade of Neuropilin-1 is a new therapeutic approach. Although the first tests with cell cultures turned out to be promising, numerous investigations are still necessary until then.

Tags: suchen suche search tag anzeigen besucherzahl browser design domain inhalt jahr karpfen konto problem inhalt schalten modellbahn spielemax spiel tag webseite preise werbung

Reichsmarschall Göring hatte eine Märklin Modelleisenbahn >>> read more