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Scientists Reveal Novel Genetic Markers for Diabetes-Related Traits
A consortium of researchers first isolated 10 gene mutations that help determine the body's ability to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, the key factors underlying type 2 diabetes.
In a companion study, the same consortium -- pooling the resources of more than 100 institutions in Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia -- determined that two of these newly-identified variants directly influenced the risk of diabetes.
It also fingered an additional three genetic culprits that had already been linked to changes in glucose levels.
"Only four gene variants had previously been associated with glucose metabolism, and just one of them was known to affect type 2 diabetes," said Jose Florez, a researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital and co-lead author of one of the studies.
"Finding these new pathways can help us better understand how glucose is regulated, distinguish between normal and pathological glucose variations, and develop potential new therapies," he said in a statement.
One gene in particular, known as GIPR-A, was found to play a prominent role.
Usually, GIPR-A produces a protein that is part of the normal hormone response to eating, stimulating the release of insulin to control sugar levels in the blood.
The mutated version, however, impairs this response, resulted in elevated glucose.
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