Figure 7.

Prediction matrix and in vitro validation of SARS-CoV2 susceptibility in major vertebrate species based on (1) the binding capacity of the viral spike RBD on host ACE2 receptor; (2) the promotion of animal ACE2 gene by the interferon response. Studies show that affinity adaption of the viral Spike receptor binding domain (RBD) and ACE2 receptor determines the viral susceptibility. SARS-CoV2 not only adapts a high binding affinity to human ACE2 for cell attachment, but also antagonizes the host antiviral interferon (IFN) response and utilizes the IFN-stimulated property of human ACE2 gene to boost spreading.