Association of ACE۲ genetic polymorphisms with susceptibility of catching COVID-۱۹

Human genetic factors are one of the most important factors in the high transmission of SARS-CoV-۲. This virus infects the host cell by biding with angiotensin converting enzyme ۲ (ACE۲). Therefore, it is important to survey the virus‐host cell interactions that occur during infection. The human ACE۲ gene is located on chromosome Xp۲۲. ACE۲ is extendedly expressin the heart, liver, and other tissues. Respiratory complications are the major propellant to COVID-۱۹ associated fatality rates because the alveolar epithelial type-II cells are rich with ACE-۲ receptors. The aim of this study was to investigate the unique polymorphisms in ACE۲ and their association with COVID-۱۹ severity. In this view, novel data are collected from searching databases such as PubMed, ISI, and Scopus and are presented a purposeful survey on genetic susceptibility and unique polymorphisms in ACE۲ and their association with COVID-۱۹ severity. Accumulating evidence from RNA-seq data and single-nucleotide polymorphism studies now suggest that genetic polymorphisms in the ACE۲ gene may modulate intermolecular interactions with the spike protein of SARS-CoV-۲. Studies have shown a striking difference in allele frequency among populations for a polymorphism rs۴۶۴۶۱۱۶ and rs۴۶۴۶۱۱۶ that are likely to affect the severity of COVID-۱۹. Recent studies done on ACE۲ variants reported population-based frequency differences for two single nucleotide variants rs۴۱۳۰۳۱۷۱ and rs۴۶۴۶۱۱۶. The variable susceptibility to the SARS-CoV-۲ infection may be associated with the certain genomic polymorphism within ACE۲. Therefore, recognizing these polymorphisms could be helpful in identifying susceptible individuals.

Keywords:

COVID-۱۹ , Angiotensin-converting enzyme ۲ (ACE۲) , polymorphism , SARS‐CoV‐۲