Distribution of Alleles and Genotypes of ACE2 Gene Polymorphisms (rs2285666 and rs35803318) and Association with COVID-19 Among Populations in Kazakhstan

Abstract

There is still no definitive confirmation regarding the association between ACE2 gene polymorphisms and COVID-19. This study was conducted to analyze the distribution of alleles and genotypes of the ACE2 gene rs2285666 and rs35803318 two polymorphisms and their possible association with COVID-19 among two ethnic groups, namely, the Kazakhs and Eastern Slavs, residing within the same geographic area in the city of Karaganda, Republic of Kazakhstan. This research was conducted for the first time in Kazakhstan. The genotyping was performed using the Amplification-Refractory Mutation System (ARMS) PCR. A substantial connection of rs2285666 with COVID-19 in the studied Kazakh and Eastern Slavs populations (p>0.05) was not observed. It has been determined that certain alleles and genotypes serve as protective markers against COVID-19. It was determined that the G allele (p = 0.0217) of rs2285666 among Kazakh men reduced the likelihood of coronavirus infection. It was concluded that the C allele and CC genotype of rs35803318 have a statistically significant association with protection against COVID-19 among only Eastern Slavs. There were no differences in the alleles and genotypes of polymorphism between males and females. Thus, the analysis of the rs2285666 and rs35803318 polymorphisms has revealed that these two variants of the ACE2 gene do not exert an influence on the risk of contracting COVID-19.