German and Swedish scientists explained the vulnerability to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus by the fact that people inherited certain genes from Neanderthals or common ancestors with them. The research results are published in the bioRxiv.org repository.
Researchers have demonstrated that the severe course of COVID-19 is associated with specific genetic variants in six genes in that region of the 3rd chromosome, which stretches over 50 thousand base pairs. In addition, protective regions have been found on chromosomes 9 and 12 that reduce the risk of severe COVID-19. These parts of the human genome are inherited from the Neanderthals.
In the new work, the scientists said they had found the DPP4 promoter region present in humans and Neanderthals, which affects susceptibility to COVID-19. The DPP4 gene product is an extracellular dipeptidyl peptidase involved in immune function and glucose metabolism. It also serves as a receptor for the MERS gene.
Although many scientists do not believe that DPP4 is a receptor for SARS-CoV-2, DPP4 inhibitors, which are already being used in clinical practice to treat diabetes, also appear to work in COVID-19 patients to alleviate their condition.
