COVID-19 as a worldwide selective event and bitter taste receptor polymorphisms: An ecological correlational study

• Main Authors: Abdi, M.H (Author), Ahmadi, S.R (Author), Ebrahimi, M. (Author), Foroughian, M. (Author), Hatami, N. (Author), Javdani, F. (Author), Kalani, N. (Author), Keshavarz, P. (Author), Mehramiz, N.J (Author), Mogharab, V. (Author), Parsa, S. (Author), Shahi, B. (Author), Zarenezhad, M. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V. 2021
• Subjects: allele; Alleles; Article; bitter taste; controlled study; coronavirus disease 2019; Correlation of Data; COVID-19; Databases, Factual; DNA polymorphism; ethnicity; factual database; G protein coupled receptor; gene frequency; gene function; genetic association; Genetic Association Studies; genetic association study; genetic predisposition; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; genetic variability; genetics; genotype; Genotype; human; Humans; meta analysis; mortality; Mortality; mortality rate; pathophysiology; Polymorphism; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; prevalence; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; single nucleotide polymorphism; T2R38 gene; TAS2R38 gene; taste; Taste; taste bud; taste receptors, type 2; vaccination
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 Background: Given the observed olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions in patients with COVID-19 and recent findings on taste receptors possible important activities in the immune system, we elected to estimate the correlation between COVID-19 mortality and polymorphism of a particular type of bitter taste receptor gene called TAS2R38, in a worldwide epidemiological point of view. Methods: Pooled rate of each of the rs713598, rs1726866, rs10246939, and PAV/AVI polymorphisms of the TAS2R38 gene was obtained in different countries using a systematic review methodology and its relationship with the mortality of COVID-19. Data were analyzed by the comprehensive meta-analysis software and SPSS. Results: There was only a significant reverse Pearson correlation in death counts and PAV/AVI ratio, p = 0.047, r = −0.503. Also, a significant reverse correlation of PAV/AVI ratio and death rate was seen, r = −0.572 p = 0.021. rs10246939 ratio had a significant positive correlation with death rate, r = 0.851 p = 0.031. Further analysis was not significant. Our results showed that the higher presence of PAV allele than AVI, and a higher rate of G allele than A in rs10246939 polymorphism in a country, could be associated with lower COVID-19 mortality. While assessing all three polymorphisms showed a huge diversity worldwide. Conclusion: Due to extraoral activities of bitter taste receptor genes, especially in mucosal immunity, this gene seems to be a good candidate for future studies on COVID-19 pathophysiology. Also, the high worldwide diversity of TAS2R38 genes polymorphism and its possible assassination with mortality raises concerns about the efficiency of vaccine projects in different ethnicities. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.