The fusogenic activity of SARS-CoV-2 Spike depends on its post-translational lipid modification by host S-acyltransferases, predominantly ZDHHC20. Here, Mesquita and Abrami et al. show that SARS-CoV-2 infection and colitis in mice induce a damage response resulting in an altered version of the ZDHHC20 enzyme that is more abundant and significantly more efficient at attaching fatty acids to viral Spike.
- Francisco S. Mesquita
- Laurence Abrami
- F. Gisou van der Goot
