inflammation & autoimmunity

joint & tendon health

COG6

How Basic Cell Function Affects Rheumatoid Arthritis (COG6)

Written by Jasmine Foster, BSc, BEd on November 23rd, 2020

The COG6 gene encodes a protein with a central & essential function in every cell in the body. How does it affect rheumatoid arthritis? Find out here.

Summary

COG6 encodes conserved oligomeric Golgi complex subunit 6. Variants of COG6 may play a role in rheumatoid arthritis by increasing immune system activity and antibody production through ADAM33. Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by regulating ADAM33.

COG6 and Rheumatoid Arthritis

The COG6 gene encodes a protein called conserved oligomeric Golgi complex subunit 6. This protein is part of the Golgi apparatus, an important structure for the basic function of all cells [R].

Because COG6 has such an important, central function, it’s not surprising that variations in this gene can cause disabling results. COG6 deficiency is the name given to any disorder caused by a lack of COG6; symptoms of these disorders may include [R, R]:

Physical deformities
Uncoordinated movement
Cognitive slowness
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Liver disease
Recurrent infections

Most variants in the COG6 gene do not have a strong enough effect to cause COG6 deficiency outright. However, less severe variants have been associated with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions [R, R, R, R].

Researchers have speculated that COG6 affects the immune system through the ADAM proteases, including ADAM33, which has itself been implicated in inflammatory disease [R].

Patients with COG6 deficiencies typically have immune deficiencies and very low antibody production. People with rheumatoid arthritis usually have the opposite problem: an overactive immune system and high antibody production against the body’s own tissues [R, R].

The COG6 gene encodes a part of the Golgi apparatus, which is essential to the function of every cell in the body. COG6 may alter the function of the immune system through the ADAM33 signalling pathway, leading to increased rates of rheumatoid arthritis.

Your COG6 Results for Rheumatoid Arthritis

SNP Table

variant	genotype	frequency	risk allele
rs9603618
rs9603616

COG6 rs9603618 [R]

‘C’ = Associated with relatively higher rates of rheumatoid arthritis
‘T’ = Associated with relatively lower rates of rheumatoid arthritis
The ‘T’ allele may slightly reduce immune system activity and the production of antibodies [R, R].

COG6 rs9603616 [R, R]

‘T’ = Associated with relatively higher rates of rheumatoid arthritis
‘C’ = Associated with relatively lower rates of rheumatoid arthritis
The ‘C’ allele may slightly reduce immune system activity and the production of antibodies [R, R].

Recommendations

Pomegranate

Pomegranate is rich in antioxidant compounds that may help regulate ADAM33 and other markers of autoimmune inflammation. Researchers believe that COG6 affects the immune system in part through ADAM33. Antioxidant-rich pomegranate may therefore be helpful for people with certain COG6 variants [R, R].

In a small, open-label study, rheumatoid arthritis patients who drank a concentrated pomegranate juice extract once a day had improved inflammation and oxidative stress markers after twelve weeks. However, this study only had eight participants and no control group, so more research is needed to explore these effects [R].

In rat models of rheumatoid arthritis, pomegranate rind extract reduced pain and swelling. These effects were attributed to decreases in the activity of inflammatory markers, including NF-kB [R].

Pomegranate is rich in antioxidants that may help regulate ADAM33. Pomegranate juice has also produced promising results in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Zinc

ADAM33, which is involved in the downstream signalling effects of COG6, requires zinc in order to function correctly [R].

Meanwhile, people with rheumatoid arthritis have lower average zinc levels in their hair, which may indicate a tendency to have low zinc over a long period of time. Because of the connection with ADAM33, rheumatoid arthritis patients with COG6 variants should make sure that they have sufficient zinc intake [R].

Zinc is available in supplement form, and the richest dietary sources are oysters, other seafood, and beef [R].

COG6 influences the immune system through ADAM33, and ADAM33 requires zinc to function. People with rheumatoid arthritis, meanwhile, appear more likely to be deficient in zinc over the long term.

Jasmine Foster

BSc, BEd

Jasmine received her BS from McGill University and her BEd from Vancouver Island University.

Jasmine loves helping people understand their brains and bodies, a passion that grew out of her dual background in biology and education. From the chem lab to the classroom, everyone has the right to learn and make informed decisions about their health.

Disclaimer

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other official medical body. This information is presented for educational purposes only, and may not be used to diagnose or treat any illness or disease.

Also keep in mind that the “Risk Score” presented in this post is based only on a select number of SNPs, and therefore only represents a small portion of your total risk as an individual. Furthermore, these analyses are based primarily on associational studies, which do not necessarily imply causation. Finally, many other (non-genetic) factors can also play a significant role in the development of a disease or health condition — therefore, carrying any of the risk-associated genotypes discussed in this post does not necessarily mean you are at increased risk of developing a major health condition.

Always consult your doctor before acting on any information or recommendations discussed in this post — especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have been officially diagnosed with a medical condition.

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