The variants analyzed vary in frequency between different populations.
Our findings suggest a link between ACE2 variations and infection risk.
Our data suggest that ACE2 variants in different populations could cause significant variations in the binding affinity between SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2. Yet, experimental binding assays are still needed to confirm our claim.
ACE2 coding variants in different populations and their potential impact on SARS-CoV-2 binding affinity
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405580820301072
Highlights
ACE2-K26R decreases SARS-CoV-2/ACE2 electrostatic attraction.
ACE2-I468V, R219C, K341R, D206G, G211R increase electrostatic attraction.
The variants analyzed vary in frequency between different populations.
Our findings suggest a link between ACE2 variations and infection risk.
Our data suggest that ACE2 variants in different populations could cause significant variations in the binding affinity between SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2. Yet, experimental binding assays are still needed to confirm our claim.