The predicted key drivers were found to orchestrate genes in the NAFLD processes shared by both sexes, forming highly connected subnetworks containing numerous previously known NAFLD genes (such as AHSG, FDFT1, FASN, ACADVL, PNPLA3, GCKR, LYPLAL1, and LCP1) (Fig. 4a, b). This evidence concerns the gene PNPLA3 and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.