WORLD / Health
Scientists identify new genes linked to diabetes
(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-04-28 08:43
WASHINGTON: The most thorough probe to date of the genetic underpinnings
of the most common form of diabetes has identified a new batch of genes
that increases risk for a disease affecting 200 million people globally.
The findings by four international teams of researchers, published on
Thursday in the journals Science and Nature Genetics, provided great
insight into the role played by genes in a disease also tremendously
influenced by behavior eating too much and exercising too little.
The scientists hope the findings will help guide the development of new
drugs to treat type 2 diabetes, previously known as adult-onset diabetes,
and genetic tests to determine a person's predisposition for developing
it.
Despite its growing global prevalence, the disease's underlying causes
have been only minimally understood, restricting treatment and prevention
efforts.
The scientists scoured the entire human genome more than 22,000 known
genes of about 50,000 people in several countries with and without the
disease.
They identified at least eight genes that are clear diabetes risk factors
including three previously unknown ones - and several other likely risk
factors that merit further attention. All are common in the general
population.
Michael Boehnke of the University of Michigan, who led one of the teams,
said in a telephone interview: "I think we've made a quantum leap here in
terms of our understanding of the genetic variants that contribute as
risk factors to type 2 diabetes."
In diabetics, one's body fails to produce or properly use insulin, a
hormone necessary to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy.
It is a leading cause of heart disease, strokes, blindness, kidney
failure and amputations.
The role of the three new genes is unclear. Two may be linked to the
development, function and regeneration of certain insulin-producing cells
in the pancreas.
David Altshuler, of the Broad Institute of Harvard University and the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who led another team, said: "The
genes that have been found here are, without exception, totally
surprising."
Lifestyle factors play a major role in diabetes. Its rising prevalence
tracks an increase in obesity in many parts of the world.
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