Four Risk-factor Genes for Type 2 Diabetes, Identified at MUHC

Filed in archive Diagnostics , Studies on February 20, 2007

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes worldwide, in adults and now becoming common in children too. Caused by the decreased production or effect of insulin (a hormone that is secreted by the pancreas and which regulates the amount of glucose in the blood), type 2 diabetes affects nearly 2 million in Canada alone.

Four genes that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes have been discovered by researchers at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC).

Led by MUHC endocrinologist Dr. Rob Sladek at the McGill University, the researchers searched the entire human genome to identify genes that predispose individuals to developing diabetes and found that patients who developed diabetes shared common gene variants on chromosomes 8, 10 and 11.

According to Dr. Sladek:

"Of the four genes we have identified, two are involved in the development or function of insulin-secreting cells and one plays a role in the transport of zinc, an important mineral required for the production of insulin.

"We used a totally new concept and technology to look for the genes. It worked very successfully and our findings are proof of principle that these approaches can be used to dissect the genetic component of other complex diseases and, eventually, other complex human traits."

It has already been known that type 2 diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. But this new finding will help in identifying the population that is at the highest risk of developing this disease.

This genetic study has recently been published in the journal Nature.

Find more details from the full report.

[Photo Credit: BBC]

Article abstract here.