Prevalence of risk phenotypes associated with rs2285666 single
nucleotide polymorphism of ACE2 in the world population susceptible to
SARS-CoV-2 infection
Abstract
Aims: Variability of ACE2 expression encoded by the ACE2 gene may be
important for susceptibility and clinical outcomes of SARS-CoV-2
infection. This study was aimed to identify potential single nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNPs) of ACE2 relevant to SARS-CoV-2 infection and
predictively assigned risk phenotypes. Methods: Literature was searched
in different databases to identify the SNPs of ACE2 that may regulate
ACE2 expression in different human tissues relevant to either SARS-CoV-2
or SARS-CoV infection. Allele and genotype information of rs2285666 SNP
of ACE2 was obtained from the 1000 Genomes project Phase III in line
with Fort Lauderdale principles and phenotypes were assigned accordingly
based on carrying characteristics ACE2 allele. Results: About 16 SNPs of
ACE2 as potential venture for susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection was
identified from the literature. Predicted high-risk phenotypes of ACE2
expressor due to carrying rs2285666 SNP of ACE2 was highly prevalent in
East Asia (40.7%; 95% CI 36%-45%), followed by South Asia (36.8%;
95% CI 33%-41%), America (22.8%; 95% CI 18%-27%), Europe (14.5%;
95% CI 11%-18%) and Africa (12.3%; 95% CI 10%-15%), respectively.
In total, ~25% of the world population participated in
the 1000 Genomes project was predictively identified as being at
high-risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection due to carrying rs2285666 ACE2
genetic polymorphism. Conclusion: Identification of high-risk phenotypes
for SARS-CoV-2 infection through screening of ACE2 genetic polymorphisms
may be valuable for SARS-CoV-2-related COVID-19 prevention and treatment
in the population. Customized DNA microarray techniques or next
generation sequencing may holistically advance this newly evolving
research area of infection genetics.