PET PET
  • My Account
  • Subscribe
Become a Friend Donate
  • About Us
    • People
    • Press Office
    • Our History
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Friend of PET
    • Volunteer
    • Campaigns
    • Writing Scheme
    • Partnership and Sponsorship
    • Advertise with Us
  • Donate
    • Become a Friend of PET
  • BioNews
    • News
    • Comment
    • Reviews
    • Elsewhere
    • Topics
    • Glossary
    • Newsletters
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Previous Events
  • Engagement
    • Policy and Projects
      • Resources
    • Education
  • Jobs & Opportunities
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
    • People
    • Press Office
    • Our History
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Friend of PET
    • Volunteer
    • Campaigns
    • Writing Scheme
    • Partnership and Sponsorship
    • Advertise with Us
  • Donate
    • Become a Friend of PET
  • BioNews
    • News
    • Comment
    • Reviews
    • Elsewhere
    • Topics
    • Glossary
    • Newsletters
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Previous Events
  • Engagement
    • Policy and Projects
      • Resources
    • Education
  • Jobs & Opportunities
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Subscribe
  • Privacy Statement
  • Advertising Policy
  • Thanks and Acknowledgements
PETBioNewsNewsGene that determines severity of COVID-19 discovered

BioNews

Gene that determines severity of COVID-19 discovered

Published 1 October 2021 posted in News and appears in BioNews 1115

Author

Dr Melanie Krause

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.

Individuals with a specific version of the OAS1 gene have natural antiviral defences against SARS-CoV-2, resulting in less severe COVID-19 disease...

Individuals with a specific version of the OAS1 gene have natural antiviral defences against SARS-CoV-2, resulting in less severe COVID-19 disease.

The work led by researchers from the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research showed that, while some people can express a more protective 'prenylated' version of the OAS1 enzyme, other people express a version of this gene which does not detect SARS-CoV-2, and without this anti-viral response the virus spreads unchecked within the body. Prenylation is the addition of a single molecule of lipid to a protein. In the case of OAS1, the prenylated version is able to detect invading SARS-CoV-2 and trigger an interferon immune response while the other version is not.

'We know viruses adapt, and even SARS-CoV-2 has likely adapted to replicate in the animal reservoir(s) in which it circulates. Cross-species transmission to humans exposed the virus SARS-CoV-2 to a new repertoire of antiviral defences, some of which SARS-CoV-2 may not know how to evade' said Professor Sam Wilson from the University of Glasgow and senior author of the study.

Publishing their study in Science, the scientists analysed the genetic information of nearly 500 patients who had been hospitalised with COVID-19 and found that the absence of prenylated OAS1 generally led to worse disease outcomes. Patients without prenylated OAS1 had a 1.6 times higher chance of admission to ICU or of dying from the disease.

Previous work had already identified OAS1 in a genome-wide association study to be linked to different disease outcomes of COVID-19 (see BioNews 1076), but this work has now uncovered the mechanism by which the prenylated OAS1 is able to contribute to a better immune defence during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

As the origin of SARS-CoV-2 is still unknown, the virus' sensitivity to prenylated OAS1 could be further evidence that the virus originated in horseshoe bats. These animals are one of very few mammals that do not possess prenylated OAS1 at all. Thus, a virus evolving in these animals is less likely to develop an escape strategy against it.

Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor in Cellular Microbiology at the University of Reading who was not involved in the study, said: 'This change alters a gene which makes OAS1, allowing it to get to parts of an infected cell where it can more easily detect the presence of the coronavirus. In doing that, it can better activate the cell's defences against the virus.'

The study authors caution however that future variants of the virus might escape the prenylated OAS1 mediated defence as SARS-CoV-1 has done in the past.

Professor Wilson explained: 'What our study shows us is that the coronavirus that caused the SARS outbreak in 2003 learned to evade prenylated OAS1. If SARS-CoV-2 variants learn the same trick, they could be substantially more pathogenic and transmissible in unvaccinated populations. This reinforces the need to continually monitor the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants.'

OAS1 now adds to the growing list of genetic variants previously identified to affect severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection (see BioNews 1099 and 1103).

Sources and References

  • 28/09/2021
    University of Glasgow
    Scientists discover why some individuals have stronger natural defences against SARS-COV-2
  • 28/09/2021
    Science
    A prenylated dsRNA sensor protects against severe COVID-19
  • 30/09/2021
    Daily Mail
    The COVID gene: Some people carry a DNA twist that can cut the risk of being seriously ill with coronavirus, study suggests
  • 28/09/2021
    ITV News
    COVID: Some people may be better protected against coronavirus due to genes, study finds
  • 30/09/2021
    The Independent
    Scientists discover gene that can help shape immune response to COVID virus
  • 29/09/2021
    News Medical Life Sciences
    Defect in the interferon system associated with more severe COVID-19

Related Articles

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
21 January 2022 • 3 minutes read

More gene variants that influence severity of COVID-19 identified

by Semyon Bodian

Gene variants that decrease and increase the risk of severe COVID-19 infection, respectively, have been identified in separate studies...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
5 November 2021 • 2 minutes read

Scientists uncover why certain genotype increases risk of dying from COVID-19

by Semyon Bodian

A mechanism has been uncovered which explains why genetic variation at a particular site on the third chromosomes in humans makes people twice as likely to die from COVID-19...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
8 October 2021 • 2 minutes read

Genetic variant increases Alzheimer's and severe COVID-19 risk

by Semyon Bodian

A gene variant has been identified that is linked to the development of both Alzheimer's and severe COVID-19, new research has found...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
9 July 2021 • 2 minutes read

Genetic variants affecting COVID-19 susceptibility identified

by Abbie Harper

Our genomes can influence the susceptibility and response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, determining the severity of symptoms...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
11 June 2021 • 2 minutes read

Gene variant identified linked to asymptomatic COVID-19

by Dr Melanie Krause

A genetic variant that might provide some protection against severe COVID-19 disease has been identified in a new study led by researchers from Newcastle University...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
Reviews
26 April 2021 • 3 minutes read

Podcast Review: COVID In Your Genes — The risk factors

by Dr Elpida Fragouli

Genomic sequencing has numerous applications, including determining genealogy, the presence or absence of common mutations in a couple who are considering becoming pregnant, and even the susceptibility of contracting SARS-CoV-2, the virus which leads to C

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
18 February 2021 • 2 minutes read

Neanderthal genes also decrease the risk of severe COVID-19

by Anna Wernick

A group of genes inherited from Neanderthals significantly reduce the risk of developing severe COVID-19...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
Comment
16 December 2020 • 7 minutes read

Correlation and Causation: What Can Genetics and Genomics Tell Us about COVID-19?

by Joanne Delange

Session three of the Progress Educational Trust (PET) annual conference explored the genetic and genomic links to susceptibility to severe COVID-19...

Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
CC BY 4.0
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the sequencing output from an automated DNA sequencing machine.
News
14 December 2020 • 3 minutes read

Genetic variants linked to severe COVID-19 identified

by Joanne Delange

Five genes associated with the development of critical illness in patients with COVID-19 have been identified...

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

« Surrogacy on the rise in England and Wales

Data-Label The UK's Leading Supplier Of Medical Labels & Asset Labels

RetiringDentist.co.uk The UK's Leading M&A Company.
easyfundraising
amazon

This month in BioNews

  • Popular
  • Recent
13 June 2022 • 2 minutes read

Drop in diversity of blood stem cells leads to old-age health issues

27 June 2022 • 2 minutes read

UK report reveals public attitudes to fertility, genomics and embryo research

27 June 2022 • 2 minutes read

Shortage of sperm donors despite men willing to donate

27 June 2022 • 2 minutes read

North East London CCG proposes offering three funded IVF cycles

27 June 2022 • 2 minutes read

Fibrosis drugs reverse ovarian ageing in mice

27 June 2022 • 2 minutes read

Gene implicated in motor neurone diseases discovered

Subscribe to BioNews and other PET updates for free.

Subscribe
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • RSS
Wellcome
Website redevelopment supported by Wellcome.

Website by Impact Media Impact Media

  • Privacy Statement
  • Advertising Policy
  • Thanks and Acknowledgements

© 1992 - 2022 Progress Educational Trust. All rights reserved.

Limited company registered in England and Wales no 07405980 • Registered charity no 1139856

Subscribe to BioNews and other PET updates for free.

Subscribe
PET PET

PET is an independent charity that improves choices for people affected by infertility and genetic conditions.

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • RSS
Wellcome
Website redevelopment supported by Wellcome.

Navigation

  • About Us
  • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • BioNews
  • Events
  • Engagement
  • Jobs & Opportunities
  • Contact Us

BioNews

  • News
  • Comment
  • Reviews
  • Elsewhere
  • Topics
  • Glossary
  • Newsletters

Other

  • My Account
  • Subscribe

Website by Impact Media Impact Media

  • Privacy Statement
  • Advertising Policy
  • Thanks and Acknowledgements

© 1992 - 2022 Progress Educational Trust. All rights reserved.

Limited company registered in England and Wales no 07405980 • Registered charity no 1139856