Explainer: Why COVID-19 is more lethal for patients with heart disease or diabetes
iSpeech.org
Molecular biologists at the Chinese Academy of Military Medical Sciences have found a reason why COVID-19 patients with heart disease and diabetes are more likely to suffer serious complications.The researchers, who published their findings in the journal Nature Metabolism, found that the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus binds to cholesterol and possibly to HDL, or high-density lipoprotein. This allows the coronavirus to essentially hitch a ride on cholesterol molecules as they seek to bind to their regular cell receptor, SR-B1.SARS-CoV-2 cannot exploit the SR-B1 receptor directly, but this brings it into close proximity to the ACE2 receptors it uses to gain entry to cells.
View at DailyMotion
Gloss