ArticleNature communications2025
HKU5 bat merbecoviruses engage bat and mink ACE2 as entry receptors.
Article in Nature communications, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed.
- Aminopeptidase N is a receptor for hedgehog merbecoviruses.Nature microbiology · 2026Article
- T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 1 and transmembrane serine protease 2 synergistically enhance entry of a bat-derived merbecovirus.The Journal of general virology · 2026Article
- Addressing the zoonotic threat of merbecoviruses.Nature microbiology · 2026Review
- Exploring coronavirus cell entry with functional viromics.Journal of virology · 2026Review
- SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and infection elicit cross-neutralizing responses against clade 3 and 4 sarbecoviruses.Nature communications · 2026Article
- Structural Insights into the Receptor-Binding Domain of Bat Coronavirus HKU5-CoV-2: Implications for Zoonotic Transmission via ACE2.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2026Article
- Article
- Novel ACE2 binding in bat merbecoviruses expands potential host range.PLoS pathogens · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
36 authors.
Funding
Abstract
Identifying receptors for bat coronaviruses is critical for spillover risk assessment, countermeasure development, and pandemic preparedness. While Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) uses DPP4 for entry, the receptors of many MERS-related betacoronaviruses remain unknown. The bat merbecovirus HKU5 was previously shown to have an entry restriction in human cells. Using both pseudotyped and full-length virus, we show that HKU5 uses Pipistrellus abramus bat ACE2 but not human ACE2 or DPP4 as a receptor. Cryo-electron microscopy analysis of the virus-receptor complex and structure-guided mutagenesis reveal a spike and ACE2 interaction that is distinct from other ACE2-using coronaviruses. MERS-CoV vaccine sera poorly neutralize HKU5 informing pan-merbecovirus vaccine design. Notably, HKU5 can also engage American mink and stoat ACE2, revealing mustelids as potential intermediate hosts. These findings highlight the versatility of merbecovirus receptor use and underscore the need for continued surveillance of bat and mustelid species.
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Registered trials
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