Identification of oligopeptides from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) non structural protein 8 (NSP8) and their similarities with type 1 angiotensin II receptor key sites

Achour, Ammar

Coronavirus disease 2019 is associated with clinical symptoms including severe inflammatory syndrome and a higher expression of angiotensin II. As a pro-inflammatory mediator, the physiologic effects of angiotensin II are mediated by a G-protein coupled receptor, termed AT(1)R. Following binding, AT(1)R initiates the process of signal desensitization necessary to maintain cellular homeostasis. At the cellular level, this function occurs via the G protein-dependent signaling and the phosphorylation. We describe amino acids similarities between SARS COV-2 nonstructural protein (NSP8) which is associated with intracellular membranes and AT(1)R key sites. Since abnormal activation of AT(1)R receptor leads to a number of physiological disorders, we hypothesize that SARS COV-2 might further interfere with the angiotensin II receptor functions.