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<jats:p>The COVID-19 plague is hitting mankind. Several viruses, including SARS-CoV-1,
MERS-CoV, EBOV, and SARS-CoV-2, use the endocytic machinery to enter the cell. Genomic
variants in NPC1, which encodes for the endo-lysosomal Niemann-Pick type C1 protein, restricts
the host-range of viruses in bats and susceptibility to infections in humans. Lack of NPC1 and its
pharmacological suppression inhibits many viral infections including SARS-CoV-1 and Type I Feline
Coronavirus Infection. Antiviral effects of NPC1-inhibiting drugs for COVID-19 treatment should be
explored.</jats:p>
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