Author(s):
Shimon Shatzmiller
The coronavirus illness (COVID-19) is caused by a new recombinant SARS-CoV (SARS-CoV) virus (SARS-CoV-2). Target cell infection by SARS-CoV is mediated by the prickly protein of the coronavirus and host cell receptor, enzyme 2 converting angiotensin (ACE2) [3]. Similarly, a recent study suggests that cellular entry by SARS-CoV-2 is dependent on both ACE2 as well as type II transmembrane axial protease (TMPRSS2) [4]. This means that detection of ACE2 and PRSS2 expression in human tissues can predict potential infected cells and their respective effects in COVID-19 patients [1].