Gene mutations that are responsible for reducing risks of Type 2 diabetes have been discovered by medical experts, who believe that it could help drug makers in developing drugs that directly hit those genes. Obesity and sedentary lifestyle are the two major factors responsible for causing Type 2 diabetes, which is caused when the sugar level increases to an extent uncontrollable by insulin.
In the five-year study, researchers analyzed genomes of 150,000 people in the U.S., Iceland, Finland and Sweden by using advanced genetic sequencing technique. They found rare mutations in a gene, SLC30A8, which further reduces the risks of developing Type 2 diabetes by 65%.
In the previous studies, it was proved that the protein encoded by SLC30A8 could prove vital for the insulin-secreting beta cells in the pancreas. But, that research failed to prove whether the protein should be inhibited or activated in order to reduce the risk of diabetes.
According to the World health organization (WHO), about 347 million people across the world are suffering with diabetes, with 25.8 million in the U.S. The current treatments available in the market generally slow down the progression of the disease, which finally worsens the condition of patients. But, the novel research published in the Journal Nature Genetics paves new way for the drug makers to develop the drugs that could deal with the mutations.
Tim Rolph, Pfizer's chief scientific officer of cardiovascular, metabolic and endocrine research, said that the findings could help drug makers to gain insight into the pathogenesis of diabetes. Although the older people have normal blood sugar levels, risks of developing Type 2 diabetes are higher if they are obese.
