A tissue- and gender-specific regulation of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 by p53 in pigs

Yue Zhang, Guanglin Niu, Tatiana Flisikowska, Angelika Schnieke, Krzysztof Flisikowski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

The current COVID-19 pandemic is caused by infections with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A sex-bias has been observed, with increased susceptibility and mortality in male compared to female patients. The gene for the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 is located on the X chromosome. We previously generated TP53 mutant pigs that exhibit a sex-specific patho-phenotype due to altered regulation of numerous X chromosome genes. In this study, we explored the effect of p53 deficiency on ACE2 expression in pigs. First, we identified the p53 binding site in the ACE2 promoter and could show its regulatory effect on ACE2 expression by luciferase assay in porcine primary kidney fibroblast cells. Later, quantitative PCR and western blot showed tissue- and gender-specific expression changes of ACE2 and its truncated isoform in p53-deficient pigs. We believe these findings will broaden the knowledge on ACE2 regulation and COVID-19 susceptibility.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25-29
Number of pages5
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume553
DOIs
StatePublished - 14 May 2021

Keywords

  • ACE2
  • COVID-19
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • p53

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