Latest news with #MichaelLetko
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New coronavirus discovered in China ‘only small step' from infecting humans
A new coronavirus discovered in China is only a small step from mutating and causing another global pandemic, experts have warned. Scientists believe the variant, called HKU5-CoV-2, may infect a broader range of animals than Covid-19 – which caused millions of deaths – and may have more potential for jumping between species. US researchers fear that HKU5-CoV-2, found in China, in February, could also infect humans, leading to a widespread outbreak. The new study, published in Nature Communications, looked at a lesser-known group of coronaviruses called merbecoviruses, which includes HKU5 and MERS-CoV, which is responsible for the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. The team from Washington State University looked at how the new pathogen interacts with human cells. They found that a small change in the virus's spike protein could allow it to attach to human ACE2 cells in people's throats, mouths and noses. HKU5-CoV-2 can infect and replicate inside human cells in both the airways and gut. According to the World Health Organisation, about 35 per cent of people infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome die. Since 2012, some 27 countries have reported cases, leading to 858 known deaths due to the infection, which spread from camels. But when HKU5 was discovered in February, scientists warned against exaggerating the risks because it does not enter human cells as readily as Sars-CoV-2, which caused Covid-19. HKU5 was first detected in bats by scientists from the Chinese laboratory where some say Covid originated in 2019. Prof Michael Letko, a virologist who co-led the study, said: 'HKU5 viruses in particular really hadn't been looked at much, but our study shows how these viruses infect cells. 'What we also found is HKU5 viruses may be only a small step away from being able to spill over into humans.' When Covid-19 emerged it was widely blamed on markets in China where different breeds of wild animal are kept caged and often slaughtered close to other animals. Meat is sold at the open-air stalls. Critics said the markets were the perfect breeding ground for new zoonotic diseases – those that spread to humans – to emerge. The scientists, whose experiments studied how the new pathogen interacts with human cells, believe the virus would have to carry certain mutations if it were to infect humans. 'These viruses are closely related to MERS, so we have to be concerned if they ever infect humans,' Prof Letko said. 'While there's no evidence they've crossed into people yet, the potential is there and that makes them worth watching.'
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Just a small mutation away? New China-linked virus could be next big threat
Agencies New China-linked bat virus could be next big threat A group of bat viruses closely related to the deadly Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) — and first identified in bats in China — may be just one small mutation away from infecting humans and potentially triggering the next global pandemic, scientists have warned. In a recent study published in Nature Communications, researchers revealed that a specific subgroup of these viruses, known as HKU5, shows worrying signs of being able to jump species, raising alarms about a possible spillover from animals to people. The study, led by researchers from Washington State University (WSU), in collaboration with the California Institute of Technology and the University of North Carolina, focused on a lesser-known subset of coronaviruses called merbecoviruses—the same family that includes MERS, which has a human fatality rate of approximately 34%. While most merbecoviruses appear unlikely to infect humans directly, one particular group, known as HKU5, is showing troubling potential. 'Merbecoviruses — and HKU5 viruses in particular — really hadn't been looked at much, but our study shows how these viruses infect cells,' said Michael Letko, virologist at WSU's College of Veterinary Medicine. 'What we also found is HKU5 viruses may be only a small step away from being able to spill over into humans.' Using virus-like particles engineered to contain only the receptor-binding portion of the virus's spike protein, the researchers demonstrated that HKU5 viruses can already use the ACE2 receptor—the same receptor used by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. However, for now, HKU5 viruses bind more efficiently to bat ACE2 and do not infect human cells effectively—yet. The viruses were originally discovered in Japanese house bats (Pipistrellus abramus), but recent studies suggest some HKU5 strains may already be jumping to intermediate hosts such as minks, a key step that could lead to human infections.'These viruses are so closely related to MERS, so we have to be concerned if they ever infect humans,' Letko cautioned. 'While there's no evidence they've crossed into people yet, the potential is there — and that makes them worth watching.'The team also deployed artificial intelligence tools, such as AlphaFold 3, to simulate how HKU5's spike protein interacts with the ACE2 receptor at a molecular level. The AI-generated models matched results produced by traditional lab methods, but in a fraction of the time, significantly speeding up the understanding of how the virus might evolve and evade immune defenses.
News18
2 days ago
- Health
- News18
Next Pandemic Soon? Bat Viruses In China Show Covid-Like Threat, Scientists Warn
Last Updated: Like SARS-CoV-2- the virus behind Covid-19- these bat viruses use spike proteins to invade host cells by attaching to the ACE2 receptor. A newly published study in Nature Communications raised alarm as it showed that a little-known group of bat viruses could be just a single mutation away from infecting humans. The research, conducted by teams from Washington State University, Caltech and the University of North Carolina, zeroes in on HKU5 viruses—a subgroup within the merbecoviruses, which are relatives of MERS-CoV, the deadly coronavirus that emerged in 2012 and carries a fatality rate of around 34%. 'HKU5 viruses haven't been studied much, but our research shows they have the machinery to infect cells. In fact, they might be only a single step away from being able to infect humans," Dr. Michael Letko, the study's lead author and a virologist at Washington State University, said. The Spike Protein Problem Like SARS-CoV-2- the virus behind Covid-19- these bat viruses use spike proteins to invade host cells by attaching to the ACE2 receptor. Currently, HKU5 viruses bind to ACE2 only in bats. But scientists warn that a tiny genetic change could allow them to jump to humans. Supporting this concern, some HKU5 variants have already been seen infecting minks in China- proof that they can jump between species. Adding to the urgency, researchers used AlphaFold 3, a cutting-edge AI tool, to model how these spike proteins could evolve. The software simulated potential mutations and interactions with human cells in minutes, accurately matching traditional lab results. Scientists' Warning For The Future The new findings align with earlier research led by China's renowned virologist Shi Zhengli- often dubbed the 'batwoman." Her team had found that HKU5-CoV-2, a variant in this group, was capable of infecting human cells in test tubes and lab models of the human respiratory and digestive systems. The researchers also identified potential monoclonal antibodies and antivirals that could target the virus if it crosses over. Dr. Letko stressed, 'There's no need to panic, but there is every reason to prepare." About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" First Published: June 06, 2025, 19:01 IST
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Just a small mutation away? New China-linked virus could be next big threat
A group of bat viruses closely related to the deadly Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus ( MERS-CoV ) — and first identified in bats in China — may be just one small mutation away from infecting humans and potentially triggering the next global pandemic, scientists have warned. In a recent study published in Nature Communications, researchers revealed that a specific subgroup of these viruses, known as HKU5, shows worrying signs of being able to jump species, raising alarms about a possible spillover from animals to people. The study, led by researchers from Washington State University (WSU), in collaboration with the California Institute of Technology and the University of North Carolina, focused on a lesser-known subset of coronaviruses called merbecoviruses—the same family that includes MERS, which has a human fatality rate of approximately 34%. While most merbecoviruses appear unlikely to infect humans directly, one particular group, known as HKU5, is showing troubling potential. 'Merbecoviruses — and HKU5 viruses in particular — really hadn't been looked at much, but our study shows how these viruses infect cells,' said Michael Letko, virologist at WSU's College of Veterinary Medicine. 'What we also found is HKU5 viruses may be only a small step away from being able to spill over into humans.' Using virus-like particles engineered to contain only the receptor-binding portion of the virus's spike protein, the researchers demonstrated that HKU5 viruses can already use the ACE2 receptor—the same receptor used by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. However, for now, HKU5 viruses bind more efficiently to bat ACE2 and do not infect human cells effectively—yet. Live Events The viruses were originally discovered in Japanese house bats (Pipistrellus abramus), but recent studies suggest some HKU5 strains may already be jumping to intermediate hosts such as minks, a key step that could lead to human infections. 'These viruses are so closely related to MERS, so we have to be concerned if they ever infect humans,' Letko cautioned. 'While there's no evidence they've crossed into people yet, the potential is there — and that makes them worth watching.' The team also deployed artificial intelligence tools, such as AlphaFold 3, to simulate how HKU5's spike protein interacts with the ACE2 receptor at a molecular level. The AI-generated models matched results produced by traditional lab methods, but in a fraction of the time, significantly speeding up the understanding of how the virus might evolve and evade immune defenses.
India Today
2 days ago
- Health
- India Today
New coronavirus in China shows pandemic-like threat, scientists warn
A group of mysterious bat viruses might be just one tiny mutation away from becoming a serious problem for humans, warn US researchers in a new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature viruses belong to the same family as MERS-CoV, a dangerous coronavirus that emerged in 2012 and causes severe respiratory a death rate of around 34%, MERS-CoV has already shown the world what these viruses are capable Now, scientists from Washington State University, Caltech, and the University of North Carolina have turned their focus to a lesser-known subgroup called these, one subgroup in particular, called the HKU5 viruses, is raising red flags."HKU5 viruses haven't been studied much, but our research shows they have the machinery to infect cells. In fact, they might be only a single step away from being able to infect humans,' said Dr. Michael Letko, a virologist and lead author of the IS THIS WORRYING?Like the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19, these bat viruses use a spike protein to latch onto cells and infect them. With a death rate of around 34%, MERS-CoV has already shown the world what these viruses are capable of. () advertisementThis study showed that HKU5 viruses can bind to a receptor called ACE2, the same one used by Covid-19, but currently only in bats, not that line is thinner than it just a small genetic tweak, these viruses could potentially start binding to human cells. In fact, some versions have already been spotted infecting minks in China, a sign that they can jump across if that mutation happens in just the right way, the next big spillover could be on the horizon."These viruses are very close relatives of MERS. That alone should make us pay attention," Letko said in a take the research a step further, scientists also used AI, specifically a tool called AlphaFold 3, to simulate how the spike protein would interact with ACE2 receptors. This study showed that HKU5 viruses can bind to a receptor called ACE2, the same one used by Covid-19, but currently only in bats, not humans.() This software predicted virus behaviour in minutes, a process that would usually take months of lab work. The AI's findings closely matched results from traditional lab researchers had earlier shared findings of the new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2 in study led by virologist Shi Zhengli, who is also known as the 'batwoman".Zhengli found that in lab experiments, HKU5-CoV-2 infected human cells with high ACE2 levels in test tubes and in models of human intestines and researchers also identified monoclonal antibodies and antiviral drugs that target the bat DOES THIS STUDY MATTER?The study's findings matter because, as we've learned from Covid-19, viruses don't need a passport to go global. If we ignore the warning signs, we risk another pandemic blindsiding an eye on viruses like HKU5 gives scientists a head start in developing vaccines, treatments, and public health strategies, before it's too Dr. Letko put it, there's no need to panic, but there is every reason to prepare.
