Nanoparticle-enriched mass spectrometry proteomics in British South Asians identifies links between genetic variants, plasma protein levels and disease risk.

Nanoparticle-enriched mass spectrometry reveals over 1,200 novel plasma protein genetic associations in British South Asians, advancing understanding of disease mechanisms.

• Why it matters: Identifying genetic variants linked to plasma protein levels can uncover biological pathways underlying diseases, especially in diverse populations where data are limited.
• What they did: The study used untargeted nanoparticle-enriched MS-based proteomics on approximately 1,400 British South Asians, detecting over 1,200 significant pQTLs, with more than half previously unreported.
• The result: Findings highlight the necessity of multiple platforms to fully capture pQTLs and suggest roles for 21 proteins in 44 diseases, including a new link between immunoglobulin λ variable 3-21 and Graves' disease.