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Molecular basis of host recognition of human coronavirus 229E

Author

Listed:
  • Yu-Xi Tsai

    (Academia Sinica
    National Taiwan University)

  • Yu-Chun Chien

    (Academia Sinica
    National Taiwan University)

  • Min-Feng Hsu

    (Academia Sinica)

  • Kay-Hooi Khoo

    (Academia Sinica
    National Taiwan University)

  • Shang-Te Danny Hsu

    (Academia Sinica
    National Taiwan University
    Hiroshima University)

Abstract

Human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) is the earliest CoV found to infect humans. It binds to the human aminopeptidase N (hAPN) through the receptor binding domain (RBD) of its spike (S) protein to achieve host recognition. We present the cryo-electron microscopy structure of two HCoV-229E S protein in complex with a dimeric hAPN to provide structural insights on how the HCoV-229E S protein opens up its RBD to engage with its host receptor, information that is currently missing among alphacoronaviruses to which HCoV-229E belong. We quantitatively profile the glycosylation of HCoV-229E S protein and hAPN to deduce the glyco-shielding effects pertinent to antigenicity and host recognition. Finally, we present an atomic model of fully glycosylated HCoV-229E S in complex with hAPN anchored on their respective membrane bilayers to recapitulate the structural basis of the first step of host infection by HCoV-229E.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu-Xi Tsai & Yu-Chun Chien & Min-Feng Hsu & Kay-Hooi Khoo & Shang-Te Danny Hsu, 2025. "Molecular basis of host recognition of human coronavirus 229E," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57359-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57359-8
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