Genetic architecture of type 2 diabetes and its shared genetic component with low birth weight in African Americans

Purpose of review Recent large-scale multiancestry efforts has contributed to our knowledge of the hereditary basis of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The present review will summarize findings of the genetic basis of T2D in African Americans, a population group with a disproportionate burden of this disease. Recent findings To date,>400 risk genetic variants have been found to be associated with the risk of T2D across populations of different ancestries. Although these findings are based on primarily European-ancestry populations, most of the identified loci show similar associations in African Americans. Ancestry-specific analyses including genome-wide associations studies (GWAS) in African Americans, Africans; as well as admixture mapping scans in African Americans have identified additional risk variants and genomic loci associate with the risk of T2D. These efforts have also uncovered new genetic links between low birth weight and T2D. In particular, admixture mapping approaches have identified a shared genetic ancestry component of both phenotypic traits in African Americans. Summary Recent findings have helped us to better understand the genetic basis of T2D in African Americans. Of particular interest are new genetic discoveries linking low birth weight and T2D, two conditions with a much higher prevalence in African Americans compared to U.S. whites. Continuing work, including large-scale sequencing efforts would add to our knowledge of the genetic architect...
Source: Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care - Category: Nutrition Tags: GENES AND CELL METABOLISM: Edited by Anastasia Z. Kalea and Dorothy Klimis-Zacas Source Type: research