Gene variants of coagulation related proteins that interact with SARS-CoV-2

PLoS Comput Biol. 2021 Mar 17;17(3):e1008805. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008805. eCollection 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Thrombosis is a recognized complication of Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) and is often associated with poor prognosis. There is a well-recognized link between coagulation and inflammation, however, the extent of thrombotic events associated with COVID-19 warrants further investigation. Poly(A) Binding Protein Cytoplasmic 4 (PABPC4), Serine/Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitor Clade G Member 1 (SERPING1) and Vitamin K epOxide Reductase Complex subunit 1 (VKORC1), which are all proteins linked to coagulation, have been shown to interact with SARS proteins. We computationally examined the interaction of these with SARS-CoV-2 proteins and, in the case of VKORC1, we describe its binding to ORF7a in detail. We examined the occurrence of variants of each of these proteins across populations and interrogated their potential contribution to COVID-19 severity. Potential mechanisms, by which some of these variants may contribute to disease, are proposed. Some of these variants are prevalent in minority groups that are disproportionally affected by severe COVID-19. Therefore, we are proposing that further investigation around these variants may lead to better understanding of disease pathogenesis in minority groups and more informed therapeutic approaches.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage
  • Blood Coagulation*
  • Blood Proteins / genetics*
  • Blood Proteins / metabolism
  • COVID-19 / metabolism*
  • COVID-19 / physiopathology
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein / genetics*
  • Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein / metabolism
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutation
  • Poly(A)-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Poly(A)-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • SARS-CoV-2 / genetics
  • SARS-CoV-2 / metabolism*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism
  • Vitamin K Epoxide Reductases / genetics*
  • Vitamin K Epoxide Reductases / metabolism
  • Warfarin / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Blood Proteins
  • Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein
  • PABPC4 protein, human
  • Poly(A)-Binding Proteins
  • SERPING1 protein, human
  • Viral Proteins
  • Warfarin
  • VKORC1 protein, human
  • Vitamin K Epoxide Reductases