The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Genetic basis of beta-cell dysfunction in man.

Author

Summary, in English

Although the genetic causes of monogenic disorders have been successfully identified in the past, the success in dissecting the genetics of complex polygenic diseases has until now been limited. With the introduction of whole genome wide association studies (WGAS) in 2007, the picture has been dramatically changed. Today we know of about 20 genetic variants increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Most of them seem to influence the capacity of beta-cells to increase insulin secretion to meet the demands imposed by an increase in body weight and insulin resistance. This probably represents only the tip of the iceberg, and over the next few years refined tools will provide a more complete picture of the genetic complexity of T2D. This will not only include the current dissection of common variants increasing the susceptibility of the disease but also rare variants with stronger effects, copy number variations and epigenetic effects like DNA methylation and histone acetylation. For the first time, we can anticipate with some confidence that the genetics of a complex disease like T2D really can be dissected.

Publishing year

2009

Language

English

Pages

149-158

Publication/Series

Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism

Volume

11 Suppl 4

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

Topic

  • Endocrinology and Diabetes

Status

Published

Research group

  • Translational Muscle Research

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1462-8902