<i><b>Results:</b></i> It is known from the 2003 SARS epidemic that the critical receptor for SARS-CoV entry into host cells is the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the strain involved in the current SARS-CoV-2 epidemic is similar to the SARS-CoV strain involved in the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic. The gene discussed is ACE2; the disease is severe acute respiratory syndrome.