Genetic variability in the expression of the SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry factors across populations.
Lourdes Ortiz-FernándezAmr Hakam SawalhaPublished in: Genes and immunity (2020)
The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells is dependent upon angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which serves as a functional attachment receptor for the viral spike glycoprotein, and the serine protease TMPRSS2 which allows fusion of the viral and host cell membranes. We devised a quantitative measure to estimate genetic determinants of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression and applied this measure to >2500 individuals. Our data show significant variability in genetic determinants of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression among individuals and between populations, and indicate a genetic predisposition for lower expression levels of both key viral entry genes in African populations. These data suggest that host genetics related to viral entry mechanisms might influence interindividual variability in disease susceptibility and severity of COVID-19.
Keyphrases
- sars cov
- angiotensin converting enzyme
- poor prognosis
- angiotensin ii
- genome wide
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- binding protein
- single cell
- cell therapy
- copy number
- coronavirus disease
- electronic health record
- long non coding rna
- big data
- mesenchymal stem cells
- cell death
- oxidative stress
- gene expression
- high resolution
- dna methylation
- machine learning
- bone marrow
- deep learning
- mass spectrometry
- genome wide identification