Phylogenetic analysis of the human receptor of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and its implications for the biology of infection

Background: angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the receptor used by SARS-CoV-2 to infect human cells and produce infection in humans.Objective: to compare the sequence of the receptor with those of other animal species, in order to extract useful information to better understand and fight the current pandemics.Methods: from a sequence of human ACE2, obtained from UniProtKB, multiple alignments were done with homolog proteins from bats, non-human primates and other vertebrates. CLUSTAL O tool was used, and phylogenetic trees were obtained from UniProt and Ensembl.Results: full phylogenetic conservation of ACE2 residues was found in relation to the recognition of its natural ligands and substrates, in all the species studied. Only among non-human primates there was absolute similarity in the aminoacids that interact with S glycoprotein from SARS-CoV-2: Q24, D30, H34, Y41, Q42, M82, N90, K353 and R357.Conclusions: several primates could serve as hosts for the new coronavirus. New elements are given for the comprehension of the emergence of the new coronavirus as a human pathogen.