A team of researchers at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMD) in Hyderabad have come out with a major breakthrough discovery to contain diabetes by successfully deactivating 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.

The research team conducted the experiments on the mouse model. In this model, the researchers could successfully regulate the mass of beta cells in pancreas of the mouse. Analysts say that this new research outcome will have many medical implications, the major among them being the successful management and control of diabetes. The quantity of pancreatic beta cells determines whether a person is diabetic or normal.

The members of the research team included 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 CCMB 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.

In a recent report by Credit Suisse, it has been indicated that India is going to become the world diabetic capital in the next few years ahead. At present the diabetic population in India is 40 million which is going to swell to 70 million if proper steps are not taken to contain it. The domestic diabetes drugs markets too have indicated the growing prevalence of diabetes in India. The markets for diabetes drugs for the financial year have gone up 22 per cent at $700 million.

In view of above situation, the efforts of the research team for finding a solution to contain diabetes is appreciable and applauded.