Convergent use of aminopeptidase N receptor by hedgehog merbecoviruses.

Hedgehog aminopeptidase N (APN) serves as a functional receptor for European and Asian hedgehog merbecoviruses, with a unique binding mode distinct from other coronaviruses.

• Why it matters: Understanding viral receptors is crucial for assessing spillover risks and developing countermeasures against wildlife coronaviruses that threaten human and animal health.
• What they did: Researchers identified APN as the receptor through analysis of orthologues from 93 species, cryo-EM structural studies, and functional assays involving pseudovirus entry and antibody blocking.
• The result: Findings reveal APN tropism primarily for hedgehogs, demonstrate strain-dependent activation mechanisms, and show that receptor-targeting antibodies can effectively block viral entry, aiding future risk assessments and interventions.