BEIJING, Feb 22: A team of Chinese virologists has discovered a novel bat coronavirus that poses a risk of animal-to-human transmission, due to its ability to utilize the same human receptor as the virus responsible for Covid-19, according to reports.
The research was spearheaded by Shi Zhengli, a prominent Chinese virologist from the widely discussed Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), which has faced allegations regarding its possible connection to the origins of COVID-19.
Known as the Bat Woman for her extensive research on bat viruses, Shi and the Chinese government consistently deny any claims that the virus leaked from their laboratory.
The latest identification pertains to a new lineage of the HKU5 coronavirus, initially discovered in the Japanese pipistrelle bat in Hong Kong.
This novel virus belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, which includes the virus responsible for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), as reported by the South China Morning Post based in Hong Kong.
The virus can bind to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2), the same receptor utilized by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that leads to Covid-19 infection.
“We report the discovery and isolation of a distinct lineage (lineage 2) of HKU5-CoV, which is capable of utilizing not only bat ACE2 but also human ACE2 and various mammalian ACE2 orthologs [– genes found in different species with a common origin],” the team said in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Cell on Tuesday, according to the report.
Researchers noted that the isolated virus from bat samples was capable of infecting human cells as well as artificially cultivated cell or tissue structures mimicking miniature respiratory or intestinal organs.
Earlier this month, China emphasized that its bio-laboratory in Wuhan, which has faced allegations of leaking the COVID-19 virus that led to a global pandemic, has never conducted “gain-of-function studies” on coronaviruses amidst claims that USAID funded aspects of this infectious disease research.
“China has repeatedly clarified that the Wuhan Institute of Virology has never engaged in gain-of-function studies concerning coronaviruses,” stated Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, during a media briefing in response to allegations from the U.S. regarding the potential misuse of taxpayer funds.
Gain-of-function research involves medical studies that genetically modify organisms in a way that may enhance the biological functions of gene products.
“China has neither designed, produced, nor allowed the leakage of COVID-19. As for the origins of the virus, we firmly oppose any form of political manipulation,” Guo asserted.
Recent reports from American media state that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) allegedly funded gain-of-function studies at China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology, which may have contributed to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting loss of millions of lives globally.
Trump had halted USAID operations that were deemed misaligned with American strategic interests and wasteful in terms of expenses.
The Wuhan bio-lab has been under scrutiny, particularly during the prior Trump administration.
During a media briefing on February 12, Guo expressed that “It is ‘extremely unlikely’ that the COVID-19 pandemic stemmed from a lab leak — this is the authoritative conclusion reached by experts from the WHO-China joint mission following their comprehensive assessments in the Wuhan lab and thorough discussions with researchers.” (PTI)
