Subject: APOE gene, Alzheimers and COVID-19
Article: Genetics risk factors for Alzheimers also raise the risk of getting COVID-19
When it comes to the susceptibility of contracting COVID-19, recent tests during the pandemic have stated that two versions of the APOE gene had been the cause. The general function of the APOE gene is to provide the instructions to make lipoproteins which are responsible for there being a healthy level of cholesterol in the body to prevent a clotting, a heart attack, or strokes. It is most common for people to have the APOE3 gene then the APOE4 gene. People with the APOE4 gene are more likely to develop early onset Alzheimers if both copies of the gene are present and therefore they are more likely to contract the corona virus than those with APOE3 gene. The studies showed that people with dementia and carried the APOE4 allele were also more susceptible to serious symptoms of the virus compared to those with APOE3 and those with a copy of each gene are less likely to contract the virus compared to those who have both APOE3. So far it is not known why it's the case. But because the APOE gene provides instructions to make proteins it should be further looked into if their proteins have nothing to do with antibodies since they are carried in the blood and are able to recognize pathogens. Further studies could lead to what other susceptible diseases are as a result of having either versions of this gene.
Article link: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/coronavirus-covid-19-genetic-risk-factors-alzheimers-diseas
Supporting link(s): https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/apoe/#:~:text=The%20APOE%20gene%20provides%20instructions,carrying%20them%20through%20the%20bloodstream.
Main Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/genetics
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