Vitamin C is an efficient natural product for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection by targeting ACE2 in both cell and in vivo mouse models

Abstract

ACE2 is a major receptor for cell entry of SARS-CoV-2. Despite advances in targeting ACE2 to inhibit SARS-CoV-2's binding, how to efficiently and flexibly control ACE2 levels for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection has not been explored. Here, we revealed Vitamin C (VitC) administration as an effective strategy to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. VitC reduced ACE2 protein levels in a dose-dependent manner, while partial reduction of ACE2 can greatly restrict SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further studies uncovered that USP50 is a crucial regulator of ACE2 protein levels, and VitC blocks the USP50-ACE2 interaction, thus promoting K48-linked polyubiquitination at Lys788 and degradation of ACE2, without disrupting ACE2 transcriptional expression. Importantly, VitC administration reduced host ACE2 and largely blocked SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice. This study identified an in vivo ACE2 balance controlled by both USP50 and an essential nutrient VitC, and revealed a critical role and application of VitC in daily protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection.