Pediatric researchers have found that a gene already implicated in the development of type 2 diabetes in adults also raises the risk of being overweight during childhood. The finding sheds light on the genetic origins of diabetes and may present an avenue for developing drugs to counteract the disease, which has been on the upswing in childhood and adolescence.

Scientists have identified a natural mutation in the Tbc1d1 gene that keeps mice lean and also protects against diabetes despite a high-fat diet. The researchers were thus able to gain a deep insight into the function of the gene. Further clarification of its function would provide a basis for developing new approaches for prevention and treatment, as this gene could also be linked to obesity and diabetes in humans.

Neonatal diabetes is a rare form of diabetes that is usually detected within the first six months of life. Approximately 50 percent of cases of neonatal diabetes are caused by mutations in either the KIR6.2 gene or the SUR1 gene. A new article describes the development of a mouse model of neonatal diabetes that the authors believe provides new insight into the human disease.

A gene commonly studied by cancer researchers has been linked to the metabolic inflammation that leads to diabetes. Understanding how the gene works means scientists may be closer to finding ways to prevent or cure diabetes.

There are considerable endocrine cells in gastrointestinal tracts. These cells may be the potential and ideal target cells in gene therapy of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Chitosan nanoparticle is a kind of non-viral vector. A research group in China investigated the gene therapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus in rats by gastrointestinal administration of chitosan nanoparticles containing human insulin gene.

Researchers have found that even a very little bit of the fat hormone leptin goes a long way when it comes to correcting diabetes. The hormone controls the activity of a gene known as IGFBP2 in the liver, which has antidiabetic effects in animals and could have similar therapeutic effect in humans, according to a new study.

Scientists have identified new gene variants associated with disturbances in the lipid metabolism. Some of these common human gene variants are already known to be risk factors for diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes is a major global health problem. Although the underlying mechanism of the pathogenesis is not clear, generally it is accepted that type 2 diabetes is a result of gene-environment interactions. A research group from China investigated the relationship between the metabolism of nicotinamide and diabetes and found that nicotinamide overload may be involved in the development of diabetes.

Pediatric researchers have found that a gene previously shown to be involved in the development of type 2 diabetes also predisposes children to having a lower birth weight. The finding sheds light on a possible genetic influence on how prenatal events may set the stage for developing diabetes in later childhood or adulthood.

The chance discovery of a genetic mutation that makes mice enormously fat but protects them from diabetes has given researchers new insights into the cellular mechanisms that link obesity to type 2 diabetes.