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16 December 2025

A Review of Receptor Recognition Mechanisms in Coronaviruses

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1
Institute of Medical Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Viral Pathogenesis & Infection Prevention and Control, Jinan University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510632, China
2
Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, The Sixth Clinical Medical School, Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People’s Hospital, Qingyuan 511500, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
These authors contributed equally to this work.
This article belongs to the Special Issue Coronaviruses Pathogenesis, Immunity, and Antivirals (2nd Edition)

Abstract

Cellular receptor recognition exerts fundamental roles during coronavirus infection. Clarifying the regulatory mechanism of virus receptor helps to better understand viral infection, transmission and pathogenesis; predict potential host and how viral escape from immune system; prevent coronavirus infection or develop treatment therapy. Herein, we summarize current understanding of host receptor recognition mechanisms in the different genera of coronavirus family. And we also review diverse methodologies of identification and clarification of virus receptors. The integration of structural biology, multi-omics, computational predictions, synthetic biology and artificially engineered viral receptors, provide a powerful framework for elucidating coronavirus‒receptor interactions. This also supports the development of broad-spectrum antiviral agents, smart biosensors, and intervention strategies against emerging coronaviruses.

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