The Pakistan Genome Resource (PGR), one of the largest genomic studies ever conducted in South Asia, has revealed novel insights into gene function, disease susceptibility, and the translatability of preclinical findings to humans. Published in a Nature article, a collaboration between Novartis, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and the Center for Non-Communicable Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan, examined 173,303 PGR participants, constituting 0.07% of the population of Pakistan, the fifth most populous country in the world.
The numbers alone are impressive, as the scientists identified more than 6.6 million coding genetic variants, with nearly half of them absent from existing global databases. But the PGR is particularly powerful not just because of its size but also because of the unique genetic structure of the population being studied with high levels of familial relatedness.
The study identified naturally occurring homozygous loss-of-function (LoF) variants in 6,476 genes, about one-third of all human protein-coding genes. The researchers confirmed several well-known genetic associations. For example, individuals carrying LoF variants in the APOC3 gene had significantly lower triglyceride levels, while variants in PCSK9 were linked to lower LDL cholesterol. While both genes are already important targets in cardiovascular medicine, the findings shore up the dataset’s credibility.
New links between genes and biological traits provide clues about conditions ranging from obesity and diabetes to liver disease and neurodegeneration. In one striking example, individuals lacking a functional version of the gene CIDEB, which has become a major target in metabolic research because rare mutations that inactivate the gene provide significant protection against liver diseases, appeared to have a lower risk of liver disease, strengthening the case for therapies that target this pathway.
Some findings provided new context to genes already being widely studied, such as LRRK2—a gene currently targeted by experimental Parkinson’s disease treatments. LoF mutations in LRRK2 showed signs of kidney dysfunction. It’s an observation that raises important safety questions and highlights why human genetic studies matter so much. Sometimes biology sends a warning before a drug reaches the market.
The research also challenged assumptions based on animal studies. A gene called PRDM9 is considered essential for fertility in mice. Yet several people in the PGR with completely inactive copies of the gene had healthy children.
Ultimately, the Pakistan Genome Resource is much more than a national database. It’s a reminder that human genetic diversity remains vastly underexplored. By studying populations that have historically been overlooked, researchers are uncovering entirely new biology that could lead to better treatments, safer drugs, and a more profound understanding of what makes us human.
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