New Genetic and Hormonal Research Reveals 22 Additional Variants Linked to Type 2 Diabetes
A groundbreaking study uncovers 22 new genetic variants linked to type 2 diabetes by examining hormone levels, offering fresh insights into genetic risk factors and disease mechanisms. Read more about the impact of hormonal interactions on diabetes susceptibility.
Recent research has identified nearly two dozen previously unknown genetic variants associated with type 2 diabetes by incorporating hormone level data into their analysis. Led by Yan V. Sun from Emory University, the study emphasizes the importance of considering hormonal interactions when investigating the genetic basis of this widespread chronic condition, which affects millions globally. Published in the open-access journal PLOS Genetics, the study analyzed data from the UK Biobank, focusing on white European participants, and examined the roles of sex hormones such as total testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, and sex-hormone binding globulin in both men and women.
Type 2 diabetes is influenced by an interplay of genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors, but understanding how environmental factors, including internal hormonal levels, influence genetic risk has remained challenging. The researchers performed genome-wide interaction studies to determine if hormone levels modulate genetic risk factors for diabetes, revealing 22 new genomic regions associated with increased risk, which had not been identified in previous studies.
The findings suggest that hormone levels could play a significant role in genetic susceptibility, highlighting a potential pathway for more personalized risk assessments and targeted interventions. The study also underscores the need for future research to include more diverse populations and additional hormone measurements, which could deepen our understanding of the complex interactions between genetics and environmental factors in the development of type 2 diabetes.
Lead analyst Amonae Dabbs-Brown noted the exciting implications of these findings, emphasizing how integrating environmental and genetic data can advance early detection and management strategies for complex diseases like diabetes.
For further details, the full study is available in PLOS Genetics (2025): DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011470.
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