(Press-News.org) (Embargoed) CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – In research published online Dec. 23, 2012 in the journal Nature Genetics, scientists have found three new and relatively rare genetic variants that influence insulin production, offering new clues about the genetic factors behind diabetes..
"Studying genetic variants — even rare ones — helps us learn how genes affect health and disease," said Karen Mohlke, PhD, one of the study's senior authors and associate professor of genetics at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. "In this study, we've implicated new genes as playing a role in insulin processing and secretion."
The study is also the first time genetic insights have been reported using exome array genotyping, a new tool that is less costly than genetic sequencing. This analysis allows scientists to quickly screen DNA samples for known variants in specific genes. It is especially helpful for testing variants that are rare.
"The exome array allowed us to test a large number of individuals — in this case, more than 8,000 people — very efficiently," said Mohlke. "We expect that this type of analysis will be useful for finding low-frequency variants associated with many complex traits, including obesity or cancer."
The scientists pulled data from a large health study directed by researchers at the University of Eastern Finland. A research team including postdoctoral scientist Jeroen Huyghe at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor led the statistical analysis, which integrated genetic data and detailed health records for a sample of 8,229 Finnish males.
Diabetes, which affects more than 25 million people in the United States, results from problems with the body's ability to produce or use insulin. Rather than pinpointing one gene behind the disease, scientists believe there are a whole host of genes that interact with health and lifestyle factors to influence a person's chances of getting the disease.
The study revealed that certain variants of three genes — called TBC1D30, KANK1 and PAM — are associated with abnormal insulin production or processing, even in people without diabetes. The genes may predispose such individuals to developing the disease.
As a next step, the researchers plan to continue to investigate how these genes may lead to diabetes. They also expect the results will inspire other scientists to use exome analysis to look at the genetic factors behind other complex diseases.
INFORMATION:
In addition to Mohlke, the study's co-Principal Investigators included Michael Boehnke, PhD, of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and Markku Laakso, MD, of the University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital.
In the U.S., funding for the research came from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), components of the National Institutes of Health.
New findings in the search for genetic clues to insulin production
2012-12-24
[Attachments] See images for this press release:
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Decision to give a group effort in the brain
2012-12-24
DURHAM, N.C. -- A monkey would probably never agree that it is better to give than to receive, but they do apparently get some reward from giving to another monkey.
During a task in which rhesus macaques had control over whether they or another monkey would receive a squirt of fruit juice, three distinct areas of the brain were found to be involved in weighing benefits to oneself against benefits to the other, according to new research by Duke University researchers.
The team used sensitive electrodes to detect the activity of individual neurons as the animals weighed ...
Smaller Colorado River projected for coming decades, study says
2012-12-24
Some 40 million people depend on the Colorado River Basin for water but warmer weather from rising greenhouse gas levels and a growing population may signal water shortages ahead. In a new study in Nature Climate Change, climate modelers at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory predict a 10 percent drop in the Colorado River's flow in the next few decades, enough to disrupt longtime water-sharing agreements between farms and cities across the American Southwest, from Denver to Los Angeles to Tucson, and through California's Imperial Valley.
"It may not ...
Nutrient-sensing enzymes key to starvation response and survival in newborn mammals
2012-12-24
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (December 23, 2012) – In the perilous hours immediately after birth, a newborn mammal must survive the sudden loss of food supply from its mother. Under normal circumstances, newborns mount a metabolic response to ward off starvation until feeding occurs. This survival response involves a process of controlled breakdown of internal energetic sources known as autophagy. Although autophagy has been well documented, the key mechanistic regulators of autophagy in vivo have remained poorly understood.
Whitehead Institute researchers have discovered that a ...
New data challenge old views about evolution of early life
2012-12-24
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — A research team led by biogeochemists at the University of California, Riverside has tested a popular hypothesis in paleo-ocean chemistry, and proved it false.
The fossil record indicates that eukaryotes — single-celled and multicellular organisms with more complex cellular structures compared to prokaryotes, such as bacteria — show limited morphological and functional diversity before 800-600 million years ago. Many researchers attribute the delayed diversification and proliferation of eukaryotes, which culminated in the appearance of complex animals ...
'Molecular levers' may make materials better
2012-12-24
DURHAM, NC -- In a forced game of molecular tug-of war, some strings of atoms can act like a lever, accelerating reactions 1000 times faster than other molecules. The discovery suggests that scientists could use these molecular levers to drive chemical and mechanical reactivity among atoms and ultimately engineer more efficient materials.
"We are interested in designing new, stress-responsive materials, so we are trying to develop reactions that are very slow normally but that can be accelerated efficiently by force," said Duke chemist Steve Craig, who headed the research.
In ...
Mount Sinai survey shows that nearly 1 in 3 children with food allergies experience bullying
2012-12-24
Nearly a third of children diagnosed with food allergies who participated in a recent study are bullied, according to researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Almost eight percent of children in the U.S. are allergic to foods such as peanuts, tree-nuts, milk, eggs, and shellfish.
Nearly half of parents surveyed (47.9 percent) were not aware of the bullying—although both the bullied children and their parents reported experiencing higher stress levels and lower quality of life.
The study, titled, "Child and Parental Reports of Bullying in a Consecutive ...
Thousands of Businesses and Homeowners Could Reduce Electricity and Natural Gas Prices Over the Winter Months by Using TSI ENERGY
2012-12-24
With the combination of steep escalation in utility prices and current economic climate, the price that a businesses and homeowners pay for electricity and natural gas can mean the difference between make and break for their bottom line
With electricity prices set to reach a record high this winter, TSI ENERGY has launched a new website to help businesses find the most competitive rates for their business electricity supply. Aimed at helping companies based in the USA obtain the most competitive pricing. TSI ENERGY understands that the volatile market place can be difficult ...
Dream Couture Fashion Studio
2012-12-24
Conveniently located at 812 Britannia Rd. W, heartland mall Unit 107 (Near Mavis and Britannia), Missisauga, Ontario, Dream Couture Fashion Studio offers unique collections both catering to the Eastern and Western communities with the promise that any outfit you dream can be designed and created.
With the cultural diversity that makes Canada, especially Toronto the global symbol of multicultarism Dream Couture shows how it embraces this diversity with style. Whether it is a Bridal Gown or a Saree or Lehngas flattering today's Bride, Dream Couture can help to create ...
Tumblecaps Retro is Getting Ready for the Holidays!
2012-12-24
Loveland, Colorado - Tumblecaps Retro, released this year by Cerulean Games, will be receiving an update in time for the holiday season featuring bug-fixes and user requests, along with some holiday fun.
"We love the holidays!" Stated Dave Calabrese, CEO of Cerulean Games. "Tumblecaps Retro has been wonderfully received by the public, and it's time to start giving the game some additional content."
The Winter update will include various bug-fixes and an all new Holiday themed Cap Pack with new visual FX, new pixelated bottlecaps, and a new Holiday ...
Producer Jonathan Isen Teams Up With Steve "Spaz" Williams To Produce An 8 Spot Campaign For Radio Shack
2012-12-24
Following up on his 23 spot package for Radio Shack's Christmas campaign, producer Jonathan Isen solicited the services of world-class director Steve "Spaz" Williams to produce an 8 spot package highlighting the post Christmas phone upgrades available at Radio Shack through Grey/NY and Grey/Wing.
Shooting on location in New Rochelle, New York, Williams brought his comedic expertise to "real life" situations in store. The shoot reunited Williams with Grey ECD Jeff Odiorne.
"It was like no time had passed. We just picked up right where we left ...