Host Proteins that Interact with SARS-CoV-2 Identified

A new study that examined the corresponding genes of viral helper proteins discovered numerous variants that influence the amount or function of the proteins as well as their ability to support the coronavirus. The team from the University of Berlin published their results in Nature Communications.

"In severe courses of COVID-19, this regulated process gets out of control and the immune system causes an excessive inflammatory response that attacks not only virus-infected cells but also healthy tissue," says Claudia Langenberg, study leader. "Naturally occurring variations in the genes that make up the blueprint for these human proteins can alter their concentration or function and may thus be responsible for the different course of the disease." 

Lead author Maik Pietzner adds, "We examined 179 proteins known to be involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection for their naturally occurring variants.” They discovered 38 targets for existing drugs as well as evidence that certain proteins that interact with the virus influence the immune system.

 "Our findings also help to better understand risk factors for severe courses of COVID-19. We were able to show that blood coagulation proteins are influenced by the same genetic variant that increases the risk of contracting COVID-19 and that determines blood group 0," Pietzner concludes.