Genes and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
In 2007, five whole genome-wide association studies were published on the genetics of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), followed by the discovery of 11 genes consistently associated with T2DM. This breakthrough provided the first glimpses of a complete picture of the disease's genetic complexity. Currently, we are only beginning to understand how DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and deacetylation may introduce epigenetic changes throughout one's lifetime. Such changes may influence age-related modifications in gene-expression that contribute to age-related diseases. In the future, the possibility of whole-genome DNA methylation studies may elucidate the extent of these epigenetic effects. This article reviews genes that have recently been determined to be associated with T2DM.
Groop
Leif
L
Department of Clinical Sciences/Diabetes & Endocrinology, Lund University, University Hospital Malmoe, 20502, Malmoe, Sweden. leif.groop@med.lu.se
Lyssenko
Valeriya
V
D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015894:Genome, Human / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype