Table 1  Classification, discovery, cellular receptor, and natural intermediate host of the coronaviruses
HCoV genera  Coronaviruses  Discovery  Cellular receptor  Natural host(s)
α‐Coronaviruses  HCoV‐229E  1966  Human aminopeptidase N (CD13)  Bats
HCoV‐NL63  2004  ACE2  Palm civets, bats
β‐Coronaviruses  HCoV‐OC43  1967  9‐O‐Acetylated sialic acid  Cattle
HCoV‐HKU1  2005  9‐O‐Acetylated sialic acid  Mice
SARS‐CoV‐1  2003  ACE2  Palm civets
MERS‐CoV  2012  DPP4  Bats, camels
SARS‐CoV‐2  2019  ACE2  Bats, (?)
Note: ? indicate other possible hosts of SARS‐CoV‐2, besides bats ‐ if they exist ‐ have not been conclusively identified yet.
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