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Updated: Jun 29, 2025

Determining the Likelihood of Variant Pathogenicity Using Amino Acid-level Signal-to-Noise Analysis of Genetic Variation
07:15

Determining the Likelihood of Variant Pathogenicity Using Amino Acid-level Signal-to-Noise Analysis of Genetic Variation

Published on: January 16, 2019

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Using genetics and proteomics data to identify proteins causally related to COVID-19, healthspan and lifespan: a

Jie V Zhao1,2, Minhao Yao3, Zhonghua Liu4

  • 1School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.

Aging
|April 4, 2024
PubMed

Insights

This study identified key proteins influencing COVID-19 severity, healthspan, and lifespan using Mendelian randomization. Findings reveal novel protein targets for potential therapeutic interventions and drug repurposing.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics and Bioinformatics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant global mortality and morbidity.
  • The specific proteins linked to COVID-19, healthspan, and lifespan require systematic investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the causal effects of 1,361 plasma proteins on COVID-19, healthspan, and lifespan.
  • To identify novel protein targets for therapeutic development and drug repurposing.

Main Methods:

  • A large-scale Mendelian randomization study was employed.
  • Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data for COVID-19 (severe, hospitalization, SARS-CoV-2 infection), healthspan, and parental lifespan were utilized.

Main Results:

  • 35, 43, and 63 proteins were associated with severe COVID-19, COVID-19 hospitalization, and SARS-CoV-2 infection, respectively.
  • 4, 32, and 19 proteins were linked to healthspan, father's attained age, and mother's attained age.
  • Novel proteins involved in inflammation, immunity, apoptosis, and metabolism were identified, with some shared between COVID-19 and healthspan/lifespan. Three proteins affecting COVID-19 and seven affecting healthspan/lifespan are targeted by existing drugs.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides novel insights into protein targets influencing COVID-19, healthspan, and lifespan.
  • Identified proteins offer potential for new therapeutic strategies and repurposing of existing drugs.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19healthspanlifespanproteomics

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