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. 2021 Sep 20;41(6):1075–1080. doi: 10.1007/s11596-021-2442-y

Is There a Link between Circadian Clock Protein PERIOD 3 (PER3) (rs57875989) Variant and the Severity of COVID-19 Infection?

Gozde Yesil Sayin 1,#, Sacide Pehlivan 2,#, Istemi Serin 3,✉,#, Alpay Medetalibeyoglu 4, Murat Kose 4, Ali Agacfidan 5, Naci Senkal 4, Ummihan Isoglu-Alkac 6, Tufan Tukek 4
PMCID: PMC8450707  PMID: 34542826

Abstract

Objective

Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has been among the major infectious events of the century. In today’s literature where COVID-19 and host factor effects are frequently examined, we aimed to examine another factor: Circadian Clock Protein PERIOD 3 (PER3). There is a significant correlation between PER3 gene polymorphism and circadian rhythm disturbances and immune system dysregulation.

Methods

In our study, we recruited 200 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in our hospital between April–June 2020, and 100 volunteers without known comorbidities to create a healthy control group. After comparing the initial gene polymorphisms of the patients with healthy controls, three separate clinical subgroups were formed. Gene polymorphism distribution and statistical significance were examined in the formed patient groups.

Results

No significant difference was found between the patient group and the healthy controls (P>0.05, for all). When patients were divided into two separate clinical subgroups as exitus/alive according to their last condition during their 28-day follow-up, the 4R/5R genotype was significantly more common in patients with a mortal course (P=0.007). The PER3 4R/5R genotype was found at a significantly higher rate in the group of patients with the need for intensive care (P=0.034).

Conclusion

The 4R/5R genotype may be associated with the need for intensive care and mortality in COVID-19 patients. These important results will be a guide for future studies.

Key words: corona virus disease 2019, circadian rhythm, PER3, prognosis

Acknowledgements

We respectfully remember all the colleagues we lost in the COVID-19 fight.

Footnotes

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Three authors had equal contributions and represent the first authors of the manuscript.

Change history

10/24/2021

The article title was mispelled during original upload. The word “Orcadian” should be “Circadian”.

Contributor Information

Gozde Yesil Sayin, Email: Gozde.y@istanbul.edu.tr.

Sacide Pehlivan, Email: sacide.pehlivan@istanbul.edu.tr.

Istemi Serin, Email: serinistemi@hotmail.com.

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