Disclaimer: We may earn a commission if you make any purchase by clicking our links. Please see our detailed guide here.

Follow us on:

Scientists Map Body-wide Production of a Protein With “Important Role” in COVID-19

Join the Opinion Leaders Network

Join the Techgenyz Opinion Leaders Network today and become part of a vibrant community of change-makers. Together, we can create a brighter future by shaping opinions, driving conversations, and transforming ideas into reality.

Scientists have analyzed the presence throughout the human body of a protein that the novel coronavirus uses to enter host cells. They have found that it is produced only at “very low levels, if at all,” in the respiratory system, an advance that highlights the need for further studies to reassess the biological mechanisms responsible for COVID-19.

The study, published in the journal Molecular Systems Biology, presented a systematic evaluation of the production of ACE2 — the ‘coronavirus entry gate’ protein — in more than 150 cell types in the human body.

It noted that the protein expression was consistently high in the intestines, kidney, gallbladder, heart, male reproductive organs, placenta, eye and vascular tissues. At the same time, it was limited in the respiratory system.

Previous studies have indicated that ACE2 protein is highly expressed in the human lung. But these expression profiles have not been reliably presented along with tissues and organs from the entire human body, or based on several different datasets.- Cecilia Lindskog, study senior author from Uppsala University in Sweden.

“Here, in contrast to previous studies, we were able to confidently show that no ACE2 protein is present, or that it occurs at only very low levels, in the normal respiratory system,” Lindskog said.

Earlier studies had suggested that the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 employs ACE2 for host cell entry and that penetration of the virus via this receptor would explain the severe clinical manifestations observed in various tissues and organs, including the respiratory system.

Considering the clinical manifestations of COVID-19, with acute respiratory distress syndrome and extensive damage to the lung parenchyma, the results highlight the need for further study of the biological mechanisms responsible for COVID-19 infection and disease progression. Cecilia Lindskog, study senior author from Uppsala University in Sweden.

“Further studies addressing the dynamic regulation of ACE2, and to confirm whether the low ACE2 expression in the human respiratory system is sufficient for SARS-CoV-2 infection, or whether other factors are needed for host cell entry, are urgently needed,” she added.

Partner With Us

Digital advertising offers a way for your business to reach out and make much-needed connections with your audience in a meaningful way. Advertising on Techgenyz will help you build brand awareness, increase website traffic, generate qualified leads, and grow your business.

Join 10,000+ Fellow Readers

Get Techgenyz’s roundup delivered to your inbox curated with the most important for you that keeps you updated about the future tech, mobile, space, gaming, business and more.

Recomended

Find Apps

The Ultimate Hub for Discovering Apps Unlock a world of apps: your ultimate hub for exploring and discovering limitless possibilities for on your every needs.

Power Your Business

Solutions you need to super charge your business and drive growth

More from this topic