Gene deactivation can fight diabetes
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In a major breakthrough that could help in fighting diabetes, a team of researchers from the city-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology has successfully deactivated a gene to regulate the functioning of beta cells in pancreas. The malfunction of these beta cells leads to non-production of insulin or production of ineffective insulin.
In either case, the problem is manifested in the form of diabetes. The CCMB team could regulate the mass of beta cells in pancreas in the mouse model. The medical implications of this research are many, the prime being the successful management and control of diabetes. The quantity of pancreatic beta cells determines whether a person is diabetic or normal.
The research team comprised Dr Satish Kumar, D. Partha Sarathi, Shalu Singh and Vijay Pratap. The researchers created a mouse model without the presence of the gene, Wdr13 (WD-repeat protein), using genetic engineering technology. The team inactivated or knocked out the gene by disrupting it through insertion of an artificial piece of DNA in the embryonic stem cells.
The removal or inactivation of the gene WDr13 in mouse model led to formation of more pancreatic mass in the islets of Langerhans. This showed that the knocking of the gene would lead to formation of more beta cell mass in pancreas. The mouse showed higher levels of insulin in blood serum, and thus better management of blood glucose. This in other words means knocking off the gene WDr13 will help diabetics to clear blood glucose quite effectively.
According to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology team, the protein could be helpful in finding a potential drug target to treat diabetes, which is becoming a major health problem in the country. Hyderabad has already emerged as the diabetic capital of India. The team is now busy studying the health implications of the knocking off the gene WDr13 as the person ages.
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