Fig. 4: Genetic architecture of metabolites and derived ratios.

a Correlation between the number of metabolites and the number of significant genetic associations (Bonferroni correction for total metabolic traits, 5 × 10⁻⁸/313 = 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁰) within ten major categories. Data are plotted on a log scale, with each point representing a unique category of metabolites. Source data are available in Supplementary Data 3. b Distribution of the number of associated metabolites per genetic locus, illustrating the pleiotropic effects on metabolite profiles. The x-axis represents the percentage of all loci, while the y-axis quantifies the number of metabolites associated with each locus. See details in Supplementary Data 4 and 8. c Box plots illustrating the heritability estimates for metabolic traits grouped by biochemical categories. Colors distinguish different metabolite categories. Boxes represent the IQR, with the horizontal line indicating the median. Whiskers extend to the most extreme data point that is no more than 1.5 × IQR from the edge of the box, with points beyond representing outliers. The numbers of metabolites for each category are provided in Supplementary Data 2. Source data are available in Supplementary Data 9. d Scatterplots for each biochemical category, illustrating the relationship between the heritability of metabolites and the number of associated genetic loci. The fitted lines were derived from a linear regression in each facet, with corresponding Spearman’s correlation coefficients and two-sided P values provided, if applicable. See details in Supplementary Data 4 and 9.