9RCU

Cardioderma bat coronavirus 2B receptor binding domain in complex with human CEACAM6

Summary for 9RCU

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb9rcu/pdb
• Related: 9RCS
• Descriptor: Cell adhesion molecule CEACAM6, Spike protein, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranose-(1-4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranose, ... (4 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: receptor, receptor binding domain, virus entry, virus:host interaction, viral protein
• Biological source: Homo sapiens (human); More
• Total number of polymer chains: 2
• Total formula weight: 52183.55

Authors

Gallo, G.,Bailey, D.,Graham, S.C. (deposition date: 2025-05-29, release date: 2026-04-08, Last modification date: 2026-05-20)

Primary citation

Gallo, G.,Di Nardo, A.,Lugano, D.,Roberts, A.J.,Kutima, B.A.,Okombo, M.,Dewantari, A.K.,Buckley, F.M.M.,Wright, G.J.,Nyagwange, J.,Agwanda, B.,Graham, S.C.,Bailey, D.
Heart-nosed bat alphacoronaviruses use human CEACAM6 to enter cells.
Nature, 653:180-189, 2026

PubMed Abstract: Identifying viruses with zoonotic potential on the basis of their ability to enter human cells is a critical component of pandemic prediction, prevention and preparedness. Here using a computational approach that retains maximum phylogenetic diversity, we selected an optimal subset of alphacoronavirus spike proteins to screen against broad coronavirus receptor libraries. Most of the selected spike proteins did not use any of the established coronavirus receptors. However, the pseudotyped spike protein of Cardioderma cor (heart-nosed bat) coronavirus KY43 (CcCoV-KY43) could enter human cells. Using a recombinant CcCoV receptor-binding domain (RBD) and a human receptor screening platform, we identified direct interactions with the human CEACAM proteins CEACAM3, CEACAM5 and CEACAM6. Overexpression of human CEACAM6-a protein widely expressed in the human lung-conferred permissivity to otherwise refractory human cells. A crystal structure showed that the RBD binds the amino-terminal IgV-like domain of human CEACAM6. Immune surveillance studies using sera of individuals from the Taveta region of Kenya, where CcCoV-KY43 was identified, did not show significant evidence of recent spillover. Wider characterization of alphacoronaviruses related to CcCoV-KY43 showed that human CEACAM6 is used by two other CcCoVs collected in Kenya. Moreover, there was more restricted nonhuman CEACAM6 tropism for viruses isolated from Rhinolophus bats from Russia and China. Thus, alphacoronaviruses that use CEACAM6 are probably geographically widespread, and viruses from East Africa show potential for transmission to humans.

PubMed: 42020746
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-026-10394-x

Experimental method

X-RAY DIFFRACTION (2.99 Å)