PHG Foundation | Type 2 diabetes genes identified in multiple ethnic groups

Type 2 diabetes genes identified in multiple ethnic groups

15 February 2012   |   By Dr Philippa Brice   |   News story

Sources: Eureka Alert, HealthDay news

Research has linked four new genes to risk of type 2 diabetes.

 

Published in the American Journal of Human Genetics, the research examined genetic variants in 2,000 genes involved in cardiac and metabolic function. Data came from multiple studies involving more than 17,000 people with type 2 diabetes and 70,000 controls without the disease, reportedly making it the largest combined study of genetic factors in type 2 diabetes to date.

 

These people were from multi-ethnic backgrounds, so the new genes identified as having a possible role in diabetes risk may be relevant for more ethnic groups than those previously identified in studies of people of European origin.

The results offer valuable insight into the genetic risk for type 2 diabetes in multiple ethnic groups and could help lead to new treatments, according to a journal news release

PHG Foundation Type 2 diabetes genes identified in multiple ethnic groups