A recent study has uncovered the mechanism behind how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, infects cells. This new research provides an important step towards understanding the virus and could lead to the development of more effective treatments and preventative measures. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Cambridge, looked at the way the virus interacts with the cell’s surface proteins, known as ACE2 receptors. They found that the virus uses a two-step process to enter and infect cells. The first step involves the virus binding to ACE2 receptors to gain entry, and the second step involves the virus using a protein called TMPRSS2 to activate its own entry into the cell. The combination of these two steps allows the virus to infect cells more efficiently. The findings of this study provide an important insight into the infection process of SARS-CoV-2 and could be used to develop treatments and preventative measures in the future.

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source: Phys.org