The SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Binds and Modulates Estrogen Receptors

The authors profiled binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) against >9000 human proteins, and found an interaction between S and human estrogen receptor α (ERα). In cultured cells, S DNA transfection increased ERα cytoplasmic accumulation, and S treatment induced ER-dependent biological effects.