eVGeMdb: a manually curated database for experimentally validated genetic modifiers of neurodegenerative disorders

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Neuroscience
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Genetic modifiers influence disease onset and progression by interacting with primary disease genes.
• Knowledge of genetic modifiers for neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) is currently fragmented across various experimental models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop eVGeMdb, a comprehensive, manually curated database of experimentally validated genetic modifiers for major NDs.
• To integrate modifier data from diverse model systems for cross-disease and model-specific comparisons.

Main Methods:

• Manual curation of genetic modifier data from scientific literature.
• Integration of information from model systems including *Drosophila melanogaster*, *Caenorhabditis elegans*, *Saccharomyces cerevisiae*, cellular models, and mice.
• Annotation of entries with experimental context, functional information, human orthologs, and network/pathway links.

Main Results:

• eVGeMdb is a comprehensive database with over 17,000 entries of genetic modifiers for NDs.
• The database includes modifiers for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and others.
• The resource facilitates identification of universal and disease-specific modifiers.

Conclusions:

• eVGeMdb provides a centralized, accessible platform for neurodegenerative disorder genetic modifier research.
• The database supports hypothesis generation, experimental validation, and investigation of disease pathophysiology.
• This resource aids researchers in understanding the complex genetic landscape of neurodegenerative disorders.