DNA methylation models of protein abundance across the lifecourse

Abstract Background Multiple studies have shown that DNA methylation (DNAm) models of protein abundance can be informative about exposure, phenotype and disease risk. Here we investigate and provide descriptive details of the capacity of DNAm to capture non-genetic variation in protein abundance acr...

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Main Authors: Scott Waterfield, Paul Yousefi, Matt Suderman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:Clinical Epigenetics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13148-024-01802-y
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author Scott Waterfield
Paul Yousefi
Matt Suderman
author_facet Scott Waterfield
Paul Yousefi
Matt Suderman
author_sort Scott Waterfield
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Multiple studies have shown that DNA methylation (DNAm) models of protein abundance can be informative about exposure, phenotype and disease risk. Here we investigate and provide descriptive details of the capacity of DNAm to capture non-genetic variation in protein abundance across the lifecourse. Methods We evaluated the performance of 14 previously published DNAm models of protein abundance (episcores) in peripheral blood from a large adult population using the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) at ages 7–24 and their mothers antenatally and in middle age (N range = 145–1464). New age-specific episcores were trained in ALSPAC and evaluated at different ages. In all instances, episcore–protein associations were evaluated with and without adjustment for genetics. The association between longitudinal protein stability and longitudinal episcore projection was also evaluated, as was sex-specificity of episcores derived solely in female participants. Findings Of the 14 Gadd episcores, 10 generated estimates associated with abundance in middle age, 9 at age 24, and none at age 9. Eight of these episcores explained variation beyond genotype in adulthood (6 at age 24; 7 at midlife). At age 9, the abundances of 22 proteins could be modelled by DNAm, 7 beyond genotype of which one trained model generated informative estimates at ages 24 and in middle age. At age 24, 31 proteins could be modelled by DNAm, 19 beyond genotype, of which 5 trained models generated informative estimates at age 9 and 8 in middle age. In middle age, 23 proteins could be modelled, 13 beyond genotype, of which 3 were informative at age 9 and 7 at age 24. Interpretation We observed that episcores performed better at older ages than in children with several episcores capturing non-genetic variation at all ages.
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spelling doaj-art-6e2d44718aa847ca94e7395df2758bfc2025-08-20T02:39:40ZengBMCClinical Epigenetics1868-70832024-12-0116111110.1186/s13148-024-01802-yDNA methylation models of protein abundance across the lifecourseScott Waterfield0Paul Yousefi1Matt Suderman2MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of BristolMRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of BristolMRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of BristolAbstract Background Multiple studies have shown that DNA methylation (DNAm) models of protein abundance can be informative about exposure, phenotype and disease risk. Here we investigate and provide descriptive details of the capacity of DNAm to capture non-genetic variation in protein abundance across the lifecourse. Methods We evaluated the performance of 14 previously published DNAm models of protein abundance (episcores) in peripheral blood from a large adult population using the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) at ages 7–24 and their mothers antenatally and in middle age (N range = 145–1464). New age-specific episcores were trained in ALSPAC and evaluated at different ages. In all instances, episcore–protein associations were evaluated with and without adjustment for genetics. The association between longitudinal protein stability and longitudinal episcore projection was also evaluated, as was sex-specificity of episcores derived solely in female participants. Findings Of the 14 Gadd episcores, 10 generated estimates associated with abundance in middle age, 9 at age 24, and none at age 9. Eight of these episcores explained variation beyond genotype in adulthood (6 at age 24; 7 at midlife). At age 9, the abundances of 22 proteins could be modelled by DNAm, 7 beyond genotype of which one trained model generated informative estimates at ages 24 and in middle age. At age 24, 31 proteins could be modelled by DNAm, 19 beyond genotype, of which 5 trained models generated informative estimates at age 9 and 8 in middle age. In middle age, 23 proteins could be modelled, 13 beyond genotype, of which 3 were informative at age 9 and 7 at age 24. Interpretation We observed that episcores performed better at older ages than in children with several episcores capturing non-genetic variation at all ages.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13148-024-01802-yEpigeneticsDNA methylationProteomicsPenalised regressionLifecourse epidemiologyALSPAC
spellingShingle Scott Waterfield
Paul Yousefi
Matt Suderman
DNA methylation models of protein abundance across the lifecourse
Clinical Epigenetics
Epigenetics
DNA methylation
Proteomics
Penalised regression
Lifecourse epidemiology
ALSPAC
title DNA methylation models of protein abundance across the lifecourse
title_full DNA methylation models of protein abundance across the lifecourse
title_fullStr DNA methylation models of protein abundance across the lifecourse
title_full_unstemmed DNA methylation models of protein abundance across the lifecourse
title_short DNA methylation models of protein abundance across the lifecourse
title_sort dna methylation models of protein abundance across the lifecourse
topic Epigenetics
DNA methylation
Proteomics
Penalised regression
Lifecourse epidemiology
ALSPAC
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13148-024-01802-y
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AT mattsuderman dnamethylationmodelsofproteinabundanceacrossthelifecourse