Unlocking the Epigenetic Code: The Role of Environment and Lifestyle in Type 2 Diabetes

Saturday - February 24 2024, 17:17 UTC - 9 months ago

A new study by Lund University researchers reveals that epigenetic changes may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes, in addition to lifestyle factors. The study identified 5584 sites in the genome with altered epigenetic modifications and identified 203 genes with different expression in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The gene RHOT1 was found to play a key role in insulin secretion. The study also suggests a potential blood-based biomarker for predicting risk and highlights the possibility of other contributing factors beyond weight in the development of type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes, a growing global health concern, is often associated with unhealthy lifestyle factors such as poor diet and lack of physical activity. However, recent research suggests that the development of this disease may also be influenced by epigenetic changes - modifications to our DNA that can be caused by environmental and lifestyle factors. This groundbreaking study conducted by Lund University researchers and published in Nature Communications sheds light on the link between epigenetics and type 2 diabetes, potentially paving the way for new prevention strategies and treatments .

Inheriting our genes plays a major role in determining our risk for type 2 diabetes, but the study reveals that epigenetic changes may also contribute to the development of the disease. By examining changes in gene expression in insulin-producing cells from both individuals with type 2 diabetes and those without the disease, the researchers identified 5584 sites in the genome that showed differences in epigenetic modifications .

These findings were also observed in individuals with high blood sugar levels, further supporting the role of epigenetics in type 2 diabetes.Lead author and researcher at Lund University's Diabetes Centre, Tina Rönn, notes, "Those of us who study epigenetics have long tried to understand whether these changes cause type 2 diabetes or if they occur as a result of the disease. Our study suggests that epigenetic changes may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes by altering gene expression .

"Furthermore, the study identified 203 genes that showed different expression in individuals with type 2 diabetes compared to the control group. Among these genes, the researchers discovered that the gene RHOT1 had epigenetic changes in individuals with type 2 diabetes and played a crucial role in insulin secretion in the pancreas. In fact, when the gene expression of RHOT1 was knocked out in cells from donors without type 2 diabetes, there was a decrease in insulin secretion, confirming the gene's role in the disease .

One of the main objectives of the study was to develop a blood-based biomarker that could predict an individual's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. To achieve this, the researchers investigated whether the epigenetic changes observed in insulin-producing cells could also be found in the blood of living individuals. Surprisingly, they found epigenetic changes in the blood samples of 540 individuals without type 2 diabetes, and were able to link these changes to the future development of the disease in half of the individuals .

While commonly known risk factors for type 2 diabetes such as unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, and aging were found to increase the risk, the study also revealed epigenetic changes in individuals with normal weight. This suggests that other factors beyond weight may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes.In conclusion, this groundbreaking study highlights the potential influence of epigenetics in the development of type 2 diabetes, providing valuable insights that may lead to the development of effective prevention strategies and treatments in the future .