Bat Genomes Provide Insights into Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Climate Change Threats

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted at Ashoka University has shed light on the role of bats as reservoirs for coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, and the impact of climate change on their populations. A high-quality hybrid genome assembly of the Blyth's horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus lepidus, was analyzed to understand the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the effect of past climatic conditions on their population size. The study found that the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor responsible for the entry of SARS-CoV-2 was highly conserved within bats, with 50% of the amino acids necessary for virus entry conserved between humans and R. lepidus.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Blyth's horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus lepidus, is a widespread species and an important cell-line model system for studying virus entry and replication.
  • The study's genome assembly, with an N50 of 5.3 Mb and a BUSCO score of approximately 94%, provides high-quality data for understanding the co-evolution of bats and viruses.
  • The Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor responsible for the entry of SARS-CoV-2 was highly conserved within bats, especially the region responsible for virus entry into the cell.
  • The effective population size of R. lepidus was drastically reduced in the past 50,000 years, indicating an effect of past climatic conditions on their population.
  • The study adds to the growing list of bat genomes that are important resources for understanding the co-evolution of bats and viruses and the mechanism by which bats can tolerate and clear infections effectively.
  • The research received financial support from the Duke-NUS Signature Research Programme, DBT-Ramalingaswami Fellowship, and the Trivedi School of Biosciences.

Statistics:

  • 50% of the amino acids necessary for SARS-CoV-2 entry were conserved between humans and R. lepidus.
  • The genome assembly had an N50 of 5.3 Mb.
  • The BUSCO score was approximately 94%.
  • The effective population size of R. lepidus was drastically reduced in the past 50,000 years.

Sources:

  • DNA Research, 2025;32(3).
  • Oxford Univ Press, Great Clarendon St, Oxford OX2 6DP, England.
  • Oxford University Press - www.oup.com/;
  • DNA Research - dnaresearch.oxfordjournals.org