Integrative approach identifies SLC6A20 and CXCR6 as putative causal genes for the COVID-19 GWAS signal in the 3p21.31 locus
Silva Kasela, Zharko Daniloski, Sailalitha Bollepalli, Tristan X. Jordan, Benjamin R. tenOever, Neville E. Sanjana, Tuuli Lappalainen
Abstract
To date, the locus with the most robust human genetic association to COVID-19 severity is 3p21.31. Here, we integrate genome-scale CRISPR loss-of-function screens and eQTLs in diverse cell types and tissues to pinpoint genes underlying COVID-19 risk. Our findings identify SLC6A20 and CXCR6 as putative causal genes that modulate COVID-19 risk and highlight the usefulness of this integrative approach to bridge the divide between correlational and causal studies of human biology.
Topics & Concepts
BiologyGenome-wide association studyLocus (genetics)Computational biologyHuman geneticsGeneticsGeneGenetic associationSingle-nucleotide polymorphismEvolutionary biologyGenotypeSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Researchinterferon and immune responsesCRISPR and Genetic Engineering