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Genetic variability in the expression of the SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry factors across populations

Lourdes Ortiz-Fernández, View ORCID ProfileAmr H Sawalha
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.06.027698
Lourdes Ortiz-Fernández
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Amr H Sawalha
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
2Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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  • ORCID record for Amr H Sawalha
  • For correspondence: asawalha@pitt.edu
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Abstract

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 >2,500 individuals. Our data show significant variability in genetic determinants of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression among individuals and between populations, and demonstrate a genetic predisposition for lower expression levels of both key viral entry genes in African populations. These data suggest that genetic factors might lead to lower susceptibility for SARS-CoV-2 infection in African populations and that host genetics might help explain inter-individual variability in disease susceptibility and severity of COVID-19.

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  • Conflict of interest: The authors have declared that no conflict of interest exists

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The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission.
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Posted April 14, 2020.
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Genetic variability in the expression of the SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry factors across populations
Lourdes Ortiz-Fernández, Amr H Sawalha
bioRxiv 2020.04.06.027698; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.06.027698
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Genetic variability in the expression of the SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry factors across populations
Lourdes Ortiz-Fernández, Amr H Sawalha
bioRxiv 2020.04.06.027698; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.06.027698

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