Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is not efficiently transmitted between humans, but it is highly prevalent in dromedary camels. Here we report that the MERS-CoV receptor--dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4)--is expressed in the upper respiratory tract epithelium of camels but not in that of humans. Lack of DPP4 expression may be the primary cause of limited MERS-CoV replication in the human upper respiratory tract and hence restrict transmission.
Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Camelus
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Coronavirus Infections / transmission
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Coronavirus Infections / virology*
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Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 / genetics*
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Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 / metabolism
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Gene Expression Regulation*
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Humans
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Immunohistochemistry
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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / physiology*
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Receptors, Virus / genetics*
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Receptors, Virus / metabolism
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Respiratory Mucosa / metabolism*
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Respiratory Mucosa / virology*
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Virus Replication
Substances
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RNA, Messenger
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Receptors, Virus
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Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4