| First Author | Aguilar-Pineda JA | Year | 2021 |
| Journal | Int J Mol Sci | Volume | 22 |
| Issue | 21 | PubMed ID | 34768939 |
| Mgi Jnum | J:349948 | Mgi Id | MGI:6826496 |
| Doi | 10.3390/ijms222111508 | Citation | Aguilar-Pineda JA, et al. (2021) Structural and Functional Analysis of Female Sex Hormones against SARS-CoV-2 Cell Entry. Int J Mol Sci 22(21) |
| abstractText | Emerging evidence suggests that males are more susceptible to severe infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus than females. A variety of mechanisms may underlie the observed gender-related disparities including differences in sex hormones. However, the precise mechanisms by which female sex hormones may provide protection against SARS-CoV-2 infectivity remains unknown. Here we report new insights into the molecular basis of the interactions between the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein and the human ACE2 receptor. We further report that glycosylation of the ACE2 receptor enhances SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. Importantly, estrogens can disrupt glycan-glycan interactions and glycan-protein interactions between the human ACE2 and the SARS-CoV-2 thereby blocking its entry into cells. In a mouse model of COVID-19, estrogens reduced ACE2 glycosylation and thereby alveolar uptake of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. These results shed light on a putative mechanism whereby female sex hormones may provide protection from developing severe infection and could inform the development of future therapies against COVID-19. |
