Nianzhen Chen

The paper characterizes the epidemiology and virology of the SARS-CoV-2 variant PJ.2.1, finding it spreads mainly in older adults and shows increased ACE2 binding but not greater antibody evasion.

This study identifies mutations in the MERS-CoV S protein that reduce soluble DPP4 binding and confer resistance to sDPP4 while maintaining entry into cells with high DPP4 levels.

This study shows the QTQTX motif in BA.3.2 S protein is not required for cleavage or lung cell entry, which depends on TMPRSS2 instead.

The paper compares MERS-CoV variants from Arabian and African camels, showing Arabian viruses are more resistant to inhibition by human soluble DPP4 due to the Q1020R mutation in the spike protein.