Origins of COVID-19 Based Upon Computer Modeling and Vaccine Design
Nikolai Petrovsky, MBBS, PhD discusses computer modeling of the ACE2 receptors of various species along with vaccine development and the insights these provide into the origin of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus which causes COVID-19). Of importance is that the Furin Cleavage Site on the SARS-CoV-2 virus is not found in SARS-CoV-1 or in the broader family of viruses. The Furin Cleavage Site can be obtained through mutation or recombination, but neither seems plausible. The binding of the original virus to the ACE2 receptor has the highest affinity to human receptors. It binds less tightly to other animal cells. The pangolin was felt to be a possible intermediary host. The recovered coronavirus from this animal had a highly similar spike protein to SARS-CoV-2, but the remainder of the virus was highly dissimilar. The possibility was discussed that the pangolin may be the source of an artificially transferred spike protein to SARS-CoV-2. Modeling predicted that COVID-19 would not efficiently bind to the bat ACE2 receptor which supports the need for an intermediate host. The strongest viral binding to any ACE2 animal receptor studied, was to humans, which in itself indicates the original virus was already optimally evolved to infect humans at the very first of the pandemic. Health Watch USA(sm) meeting April 19, 2023. • Origins of COVID-19 Based Upon Computer Mo...
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