The emerging genetics of type 2 diabetes

Trends Mol Med. 2010 Sep;16(9):407-16. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2010.06.004. Epub 2010 Aug 20.

Abstract

The elucidation of several genetic etiologies of both monogenic and polygenic type 2 diabetes (T2D) has revealed several key regulators of glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion in humans. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been instrumental in most of these recent discoveries. The T2D susceptibility genes identified so far are mainly involved in pancreatic beta-cell maturation or function. However, common DNA variants in those genes only explain approximately 10% of T2D heritability. The resequencing of whole exomes and whole genomes with next-generation technologies should identify additional genetic changes that contribute to the monogenic forms of diabetes and possibly provide novel clues to the genetic architecture of common adult T2D.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / genetics*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism
  • Genome-Wide Association Study*
  • Humans
  • Insulin / genetics
  • Insulin / metabolism

Substances

  • Insulin