Diabetes Gene
Mexican scientists have identified a gene variation that predisposes to diabetes in Mexican population. This knowledge will, in future design of specific treatments to counteract such dysfunction.
The scientific team’s findings to understanding of the disease and are promising for the development of new drugs and diagnostic techniques. So now we know the existence of a variation in a gene carrier of cholesterol, which is characteristic of Amerindian populations and not only associated with diabetes, but also with low levels of a lipoprotein that transports lipids (fats) and predisposes with obesity.
Role of inheritance
Until recently it was assumed that genetic diseases were rare and strange, maybe just going through my head terms such as Down syndrome (mental retardation and low muscle development due to the existence of extra genetic material on chromosome pair 21). However, it is informed that heredity plays an important role in the development of diabetes mellitus (high levels of blood sugar), hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity and cardiovascular disease.
“When the latter is combined with environmental factors, genetic predisposition is expressed and develop any of the above conditions,” says Dr. Tusi Moon. He added that currently the diabetes is very common in Mexico because of the change in lifestyle and diet, which was not seen for 40 or 50 years. “If there were only the external conditions, they would not be sufficient for the manifestation of the disease.”
Findings
Therefore, it is very important to identify genetic factors, as are those that are making us susceptible to diabetes. Thus, from the 1980′s has made great effort to identify genes that influence the development of the disease.
“The tools have changed, especially with the Human Genome Project, making it easy to locate on chromosomes the gene or genes involved in the disorder,” refers to the researcher. In this regard it is noteworthy that in diabetes, other conditions as conditioned by the action of different genes, each of these units generates relatively small effect.
“Throughout the investigation has been somewhat difficult to identify the genes that predispose to disease development, since each has little effect and it should match and blend with the effect of others. Consequently, genetic combinations can be very variable in each individual and population, “says the interviewee.
credit to: Karina Galarza Vásquez