New genes associated with type 1 diabetes have been uncovered in a large-scale analysis of genetic data related to the disease.
Researchers from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (US) examined six large databases for DNA data from about 10,000 people with type 1 diabetes and 17,000 healthy people.
In addition to validating results from previous research, the study authors identified three new mutations in genes involved in protein-protein interactions, inflammation and cell-signalling activity.
The researchers said they didn't expect to find that these gene mutations had any link to type 1 diabetes.
The findings, published online in PLoS Genetics, add to overall knowledge about the gene networks involved in type 1 diabetes. A greater understanding of the fundamental biology of the disease could eventually lead to new treatments, the researchers suggested in a hospital news release.
About 200 million people worldwide have type 1 diabetes and must take frequent insulin injections to control their blood sugar levels. - (HealthDay News, October 2011)
More information
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International has more about type 1 diabetes.
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