Shared molecular signatures between coronavirus infection and neurodegenerative diseases provide targets for broad-spectrum drug development

Growing evidences have suggested the association between coronavirus infection and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the molecular mechanism behind the association is complex and remains to be clarified. This study integrated human genes involved in infections of three coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV from multi-omics data, and investigated the shared genes and molecular functions between coronavirus infection and two neurodegenerative diseases, namely Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Seven genes including HSP90AA1, ALDH2, CAV1, COMT, MTOR, IGF2R and HSPA1A, and several inflammation and stress response-related molecular functions such as MAPK signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, responses to oxidative or chemical stress were common to both coronavirus infection and neurodegenerative diseases. These genes were further found to interact with more than 20 other viruses. Finally, drugs targeting these genes were identified. The study would not only help clarify the molecular mechanism behind the association between coronavirus infection and neurodegenerative diseases, but also provide novel targets for the development of broad-spectrum drugs against both coronaviruses and neurodegenerative diseases.