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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.07.31.230243

SARS-CoV-2 suppresses mRNA expression of selenoproteins associated with ferroptosis, ER stress and DNA synthesis

Wang, Y.·Huang, J.·Sun, Y.·He, J.·Li, W.·Liu, Z.·Taylor, E. W.·Rayman, M. P.·Wan, X.·Zhang, J.
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Abstract

A significant, positive association between selenium status and prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been identified among COVID-19 patients in China. Moreover, a German study revealed a pronounced deficit of serum selenium and SELENOP concentrations in COVID-19 patients, and selenium deficiency was associated with mortality risk from COVID-19. The present study investigated the influence of SARS-CoV-2 on gene expression of host selenoproteins which mediate many beneficial actions of selenium. We found that SARS-CoV-2 suppressed mRNA expression of selenoproteins associated with ferroptosis (GPX4), endoplasmic reticulum stress (SELENOF, SELENOK, SELENOM and SELENOS) and DNA synthesis (TXNRD3), while SARS-CoV-2 increased gene expression of IL-6 (an inflammatory cytokine positively correlated with severity of COVID-19), in Vero cells. These results provide a deeper insight into the connection between selenium and SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis.

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Wang, Y., Huang, J., Sun, Y., He, J., Li, W., Liu, Z., Taylor, E. W., Rayman, M. P., Wan, X., Zhang, J.. 2020-07-31. SARS-CoV-2 suppresses mRNA expression of selenoproteins associated with ferroptosis, ER stress and DNA synthesis. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.31.230243

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