# Genome‐Wide Meta‐Analysis of Parkinson's Disease Associated Genetic Loci and Validation of Therapeutic Targets

**Authors:** Shan Yang, Qinfen Wu, Xinling Yang

PMC · DOI: 10.1002/brb3.71087 · Brain and Behavior · 2025-11-17

## TL;DR

This study identifies genetic loci linked to Parkinson's disease and evaluates GCLC and GFPT1 as potential therapeutic targets.

## Contribution

The study validates GCLC and GFPT1 as novel therapeutic targets for Parkinson's disease using genome-wide analysis and functional validation.

## Key findings

- Genome-wide meta-analysis identified several genetic loci significantly associated with Parkinson's disease risk.
- Colocalization analysis confirmed shared causal variants between identified genes and PD.
- Eight potential therapeutic compounds were predicted for GCLC and GFPT1 using DSigDB.

## Abstract

To identify genetic loci associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) through a genome‐wide meta‐analysis, to screen for druggable genes significantly linked to PD risk, and evaluate their potential as therapeutic targets.

Data from DGIdb, GeneCards, and the Finan genomic resource were integrated to identify candidate therapeutic genes associated with PD. Genome‐wide meta‐analysis was conducted using GWAS data from the International Parkinson's Disease Genomics Consortium and FinnGen, involving 1,851,374 participants. Mendelian randomization (MR), colocalization analysis, and phenome wide association studies (PheWAS) were conducted to validate the associations between the identified genes and PD. Furthermore, knockout mouse models from the Mouse Genome Informatics were analyzed to validate PD‐related phenotypes, and DSigDB was utilized to predict potential therapeutic compounds.

We identified several therapeutic genes significantly associated with PD risk. Colocalization analysis suggested shared causal genetic variants between these genes and PD. PheWAS further revealed that GCLC and GFPT1 exhibit limited pleiotropic effects across other traits. Eight potential compounds were identified through DSigDB predictions.

Through genome‐wide meta‐analysis, MR, colocalization, and PheWAS, we identified genetic loci associated with PD and assessed GCLC and GFPT1 as potential therapeutic targets.

This study identified genetic loci associated with Parkinson's disease through a genome‐wide meta‐analysis, screened druggable genes significantly linked to PD risk, and assessed the potential of GCLC and GFPT1 as therapeutic targets.

## Linked entities

- **Genes:** GCLC (glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit) [NCBI Gene 2729], GFPT1 (glutamine--fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 1) [NCBI Gene 2673]
- **Diseases:** Parkinson's disease (MONDO:0005180)
- **Species:** Mus musculus (taxon 10090)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** Gclc (glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit) [NCBI Gene 14629] {aka D9Wsu168e, GLCL-H, Ggcs-hs, Glclc}, Gfpt1 (glutamine fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 1) [NCBI Gene 14583] {aka 2810423A18Rik, GFA, GFAT, GFAT1, GFAT1m, Gfpt}
- **Diseases:** PD (MESH:D010300)
- **Species:** Mus musculus (house mouse, species) [taxon 10090]

## Full text

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## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12623845/full.md

## References

54 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12623845/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12623845