Genetic Association of Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 ACE-2 (rs2285666) Polymorphism with the Susceptibility of COVID-19 Disease in Iraqi Patients

Abstract

Significant risks to human health are posed by the 2019 coronavirus illness (COVID-19). SARS coronavirus type 2 receptor, also known as the major enzyme in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), connects COVID-19 and RAS. This study was conducted with the intention of determining whether or not RAS gene polymorphisms and ACE-2 (G8790A) play a part in the process of predicting susceptibility to infection with COVID-19. In this study 127 participants, 67 of whom were deemed by a physician to be in a severe state of illness, and 60 of whom were categorized as "healthy controls" .The genetic study included an extraction of genomic DNA from blood samples of each covid 19 patients and healthy controls, then amplification the site of SNP (rs2285666) Within the ACE2 gene by using specific primers, sequencing PCR products, and genotyping to detect the role of the ACE-2 gene (rs2285666) in the incidence of COVID-19. ACE-2 (rs2285666) is statistically associated to COVID-19. The COVID-19 group had 65.67 %of individuals with the wild-type homozygous genotype (GG) and 20% in the control group, while the control group had 63.33% of individuals with the mutant genotype (AA). Consequently, the wild-type homozygous (GG) and allele (G) may be considered a risk factor (etiological fraction E. F) for COVID-19 in Iraqi patients, whereas the mutant homozygous (AA) and allele (A) may be considered a protective factor (preventive fraction). The findings of the present study reveal that carriers of the GG genotype of ACE2 (rs2285666) are substantially more susceptible to COVID-19.