Scientists make ‘milestone’ diabetes gene discovery

SCIENTISTS have identified a gene carried by more than a third of northern Europeans which puts them at greater risk of developing type-2 diabetes.

The Icelandic researchers said this could help establish an easy test for diabetes risk and lead to better drugs for the disease.

For the 38% of people who have one copy of the genetic variant, the risk of developing type-2 diabetes goes up by around 45%.

Those 7% who have two copies face a 141% increased chance, according to the study to be published in Nature Genetics.

The team said the variant was the most significant genetic risk factor for type-2 diabetes found to date.

They found the variant by analysing Icelandic genetic records, and confirmed it in Danish and US studies.

Diabetes affects nearly 200 million people.

Type 2 is the most common form of the disease, and is thought to be linked to factors such as obesity and a lack of exercise.

It is often associated with the body ceasing to react properly to insulin, leaving sufferers with too much glucose in their blood. They have high rates of heart disease, blindness, nerve damage and limb loss.

The study's senior author Kari Stefansson said: "This is a milestone in human genetics.

"This discovery sheds new light on the biological causes of the disease.

"Importantly, virtually all of this risk can be captured by looking at a single-letter change in DNA ideal for the development of a genetic test for assessing individual risk and developing more personalised and effective prevention strategies.

"This is also an exciting starting point for the discovery of new drugs, and we are actively pursuing the development of both diagnostic and therapeutic products to better prevent and treat type-2 diabetes."