Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a potentially
fatal disease that can be passed from animals to humans. It was first discovered in
numerous Arab countries in 2012, including Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Over 2500
people have been impacted by this illness worldwide, with 850 confirmed deaths from
27 nations. Humans, camels, sheep, goats, bats, pigs, rabbits, bovines, horses, and
alpacas have all been infected with MERS-CoV worldwide. MERS-CoV keeps a 32 kb
positive-sense RNA genome with at least six pathogenic components, including
ORF1ab, membrane, envelope, spike, and nucleocapsid. The spike protein promotes
virus entrance across the host cell membrane. To initiate the disease, host proteolytic
enzymes must separate the MERS-CoV spike protein into two components, S1 and S2.
The spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) binds to host cell receptors such as
dipeptidyl peptidase 4, sialic acid, GRP78, and CEACAM5, which are found on the
host cell membrane surface. There is little information available about MERS-CoV
infection host genetic diversity. This chapter emphasizes the importance of data related
to historical background, host characteristics, the molecular diversity of MERS-CoV
host cell entry receptors, and the genetic diversity of MERS-CoVs in bat, human,
camel, and civet hosts. These findings will help us better understand the host genetic
diversity of MERS-CoV infection.
Keywords: Bat, Camels, Humans, MERS-CoV, Saudi Arabia, Spike protein.