Multiple genetic mutations responsible for susceptibility to Covid: BHU study

VARANASI : Head of Cytogenetics lab at zoology department of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), prof Gyaneshwar Chaubey, has said that a recent study by a team of scientists of his lab suggests that multiple genetic mutations are responsible for susceptibility to Covid-19 in the country.

Prof Chaubey led the team which conducted the study.

As per him, the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent for Covid-19, employs the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor to gain entry into host cells through S protein priming by a serine protease TMPRSS2 (an endothelial cell surface protein that is involved in the viral entry and spread of coronavirus). Mutation in the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 genes accounts for the disparity in disease susceptibility between populations, indicates the study.

A team led by prof Chaubey comprising his lab scientists Rudra Kumar Pandey, Anshika Srivastava and Prajjval Pratap Singh have analysed the TMPRSS2 gene among global populations and found that this gene accounts for Covid-19 severity among

Indian populations.

“The team has analysed next-generation sequencing (NGS) data of 393 global samples,” said prof Chaubey. He also said this study was published in the international journal “Infection, Genetics and Evolution” this week only.

“Our analysis of phylogenetic relatedness showed a closer affinity of South Asians with the West Eurasian populations. Therefore, host disease susceptibility and severity, particularly in the context of TMPRSS2, will be closer to West Eurasian instead of East Eurasians,” said Rudra Kumar Pandey, one of the members of the team.

“Thus, ACE2 and TMPRSS2 have an antagonistic role in Covid susceptibility among South Asians,” said prof Chaubey. The study has reported a mutation “rs2070788” associated with the high case fatality rate among Indian populations.

“Such genetic mutations can be used as a biomarker for the Covid-19 risk estimation,” said director, Institute of Science, BHU, prof Anil K Tripathi. Last year, this team had done an extensive analysis of ACE2 gene and had reported a beneficial mutation to South Asian populations.