Research by scientists at Center for Scientific and Industrial Research-Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) Hyderabad has revealed that gene WDR13 is the major cause of type-2 diabetes and it can be effectively controlled and cured by de-activating the gene.

A team of scientists working under the leadership of Dr Satish Kumar, Head Department of Animal Genetics Research Centre have found that a gene called WDR13 is responsible for causing type-2 diabetes and can be effectively cured if it is de-activated.

According to Dr Satish, the gene WDR13 is the major cause for not secreting required levels of insulin in our body. By de-activating the gene, body can release the insulin in proper amounts and at the same time it also controls the sugar levels and helps in increasing ‘Bita cells’ which in turn strengthens the immune system of the body.

A team of scientist including Dr Vijay Pratap Singh and Dr Chandra Shekar, who conducted research on rats studied various changes of gene WDR13 and observed its role in causing diabetes. As part of their research the scientists de-activated the gene in rats with type-2 diabetes and found that the rats have reduced storage of sugar and their glucose levels too have come down to normal levels.

“In our observation we also found that the rats increased their Bita-cells, which improves the immune system. Overall all those rats whose genes were de-activated considerably reduced their symptoms of diabetes. This is really a great achievement for us. This could pave way to develop new drugs and help cure diabetes permanently, informed Dr. Satish.

Currently the major concern in the society is large chunk of population is becoming obese and prone to diabetes because of unhealthy living style and food habits, the genetic factors are also contributing to obesity and thereby causing the deadly disease. Type-2 diabetes is the major cause of multiple organ failure in human beings. It not just affects eyes, heart, kidneys and brain; it also leads to various diseases. Once diagnosed with diabetes, the patients needs to continuously take insulin all through their life, as it has no permanent cure.

At present doctors are prescribing medicines to control the disease causing genes, but with the new discovery by CCMB scientists, a new biotechnology procedure can be evolved to de-activate the genes and thereby permanently cure type-2 diabetes.

“We are planning to patent this new discovery and we have already applied for national and international patents. In the coming days new drugs and medical procedures may become available so that doctors can cure diabetes permanently,” said Dr Satish.