DNA repair and SARS-COV-2 infection

ABSTRACT

It is known that viral infections induce DNA damage by different mechanisms and cause genomic instability. DNA damage that is not properly repaired contributes to pathological mechanisms associated with various diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes (T2D), neurodegenerative disorders as well aging. There are findings supporting that coronaviruses cause DNA damage, genomic instability, and cell cycle dysregulation in the host cells while replicating their genomes. Increased DNA damage and aberrant DNA repair are shown in cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. As for coronavirus infection, if DNA damage cannot be repaired, it contributes to the amplification of viral infection-induced pathologies. The adaptive immune system is very important in fighting against SARS-COV-2, and clinical studies have shown that adaptive immunity is weakened and delayed in individuals with severe Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19). In vitro studies revealed that the SARS-COV-2 spike protein, which is effective in adaptive immunity, significantly inhibits DNA damage repair. Prolonged COVID-19 is associated with colorectal cancer that is characterized by defects in DNA mismatch repair mechanisms. PARP1 is an enzyme that regulates cellular processes such as DNA repair, and gene transcription. PARP1 inhibitors are used effectively to treat acute lung injury in patients with COVID-19. In light of such preliminary data, it is concluded that a close interaction between DNA repair and the severity of Covid-19 may be available. Deficient DNA repair may contribute to life-threatening conditions in severe Covid -19, and may be one of the underlying mechanisms of long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this chapter, the role of DNA repair in the acute and long-term pathological effects of COVID-19 was evaluated. © 2023 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reseverd.