Genetic variants in C1GALT1 are associated with gastric cancer risk by influencing immune infiltration

Core 1 synthase glycoprotein-N-acetylgalactosamine 3-β-galactosyltransferase 1(C1GALT1)is known to play a critical role in the development of gastric cancer,but few studies have elucidated associations between genetic variants in C1GALT1 and gastric cancer risk.By using the genome-wide association study data from the database of Genotype and Phenotype(dbGAP),we evaluated such associations with a multivariable logistic regression model and identified that the rs35999583 G>C in C1GALT1 was associated with gastric cancer risk(odds ratio,0.83;95% confidence interval[CI],0.75-0.92;P=3.95×10^(-4)).C1GALT1 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in gastric tumor tissues than in normal tissues,and gastric cancer patients with higher C1GALT1 mRNA levels had worse overall survival rates(hazards ratio,1.33;95%CI,1.05-1.68;P_(log-rank)=1.90×10^(-2)).Furthermore,we found that C1GALT1 copy number differed in various immune cells and that C1GALT1 mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with the infiltrating levels of CD4^(+)T cells and macrophages.These results suggest that genetic variants of C1GALT1 may play an important role in gastric cancer risk and provide a new insight for C1GALT1 into a promising predictor of gastric cancer susceptibility and immune status.

Integration between Genomic and Computational Statistical Surveys for the Screening of SNP Genetic Variants in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Pediatric Patients*

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are complex multifactorial disorders that include Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Considering that IBD is a genetic and multifactorial disease, we screened for the distribution dynamism of IBD pathogenic genetic variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms;SNPs) and risk factors in four (4) IBD pediatric patients, by integrating both clinical exome sequencing and computational statistical approaches, aiming to categorize IBD patients in CD and UC phenotype. To this end, we first aligned genomic read sequences of these IBD patients to hg19 human genome by using bowtie 2 package. Next, we performed genetic variant calling analysis in terms of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for genes covered by at least 20 read genomic sequences. Finally, we checked for biological and genomic functions of genes exhibiting statistically significant genetic variant (SNPs) by introducing Fitcon genomic parameter. Findings showed Fitcon parameter as normalizing IBD patient’s population variability, as well as inducing a relative good clustering between IBD patients in terms of CD and UC phenotypes. Genomic analysis revealed a random distribution of risk factors and as well pathogenic SNPs genetic variants in the four IBD patient’s genome, claiming to be involved in: i) Metabolic disorders, ii) Autoimmune deficiencies;iii) Crohn’s disease pathways. Integration of genomic and computational statistical analysis supported a relative genetic variability regarding IBD patient population by processing IBD pathogenic SNP genetic variants as opposite to IBD risk factor variants. Interestingly, findings clearly allowed categorizing IBD patients in CD and UC phenotypes by applying Fitcon parameter in selecting IBD pathogenic genetic variants. Considering as a whole, the study suggested the efficiency of integrating clinical exome sequencing and computational statistical tools as a right approach in discriminating IBD phenotypes as well as improving inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) molecular diagnostic process.

A computational framework for improving genetic variants identification from 5,061 sheep sequencing data

Background Pan-genomics is a recently emerging strategy that can be utilized to provide a more comprehensive characterization of genetic variation.Joint calling is routinely used to combine identified variants across multiple related samples.However,the improvement of variants identification using the mutual support information from mul-tiple samples remains quite limited for population-scale genotyping.Results In this study,we developed a computational framework for joint calling genetic variants from 5,061 sheep by incorporating the sequencing error and optimizing mutual support information from multiple samples’data.The variants were accurately identified from multiple samples by using four steps:(1)Probabilities of variants from two widely used algorithms,GATK and Freebayes,were calculated by Poisson model incorporating base sequencing error potential;(2)The variants with high mapping quality or consistently identified from at least two samples by GATK and Freebayes were used to construct the raw high-confidence identification(rHID)variants database;(3)The high confidence variants identified in single sample were ordered by probability value and controlled by false discovery rate(FDR)using rHID database;(4)To avoid the elimination of potentially true variants from rHID database,the vari-ants that failed FDR were reexamined to rescued potential true variants and ensured high accurate identification variants.The results indicated that the percent of concordant SNPs and Indels from Freebayes and GATK after our new method were significantly improved 12%-32%compared with raw variants and advantageously found low frequency variants of individual sheep involved several traits including nipples number(GPC5),scrapie pathology(PAPSS2),sea-sonal reproduction and litter size(GRM1),coat color(RAB27A),and lentivirus susceptibility(TMEM154).Conclusion The new method used the computational strategy to reduce the number of false positives,and simulta-neously improve the identification of genetic variants.This strategy did not incur any extra cost by using any addi-tional samples or sequencing data information and advantageously identified rare variants which can be important for practical applications of animal breeding.

Alternative polyadenylation-related genetic variants contribute to bladder cancer risk

Aberrant alternative polyadenylation(APA)events play an important role in cancers,but little is known about whether APA-related genetic variants contribute to the susceptibility to bladder cancer.Previous genome-wide association study performed APA quantitative trait loci(apaQTL)analyses in bladder cancer,and identified 17955 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs).We found that gene symbols of APA affected by apaQTL-associated SNPs were closely correlated with cancer signaling pathways,high mutational burden,and immune infiltration.Association analysis showed that apaQTL-associated SNPs rs34402449 C>A,rs2683524 C>T,and rs11540872 C>G were significantly associated with susceptibility to bladder cancer(rs34402449:OR=1.355,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.159-1.583,P=1.33×10^(−4);rs2683524:OR=1.378,95%CI:1.164-1.632,P=2.03×10^(−4);rs11540872:OR=1.472,95%CI:1.193-1.815,P=3.06×10^(−4)).Cumulative effect analysis showed that the number of risk genotypes and smoking status were significantly associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer(P_(trend)=2.87×10^(−12)).We found that PRR13,being demonstrated the most significant effect on cell proliferation in bladder cancer cell lines,was more highly expressed in bladder cancer tissues than in adjacent normal tissues.Moreover,the rs2683524 T allele was correlated with shorter 3′untranslated regions of PRR13 and increased PRR13 expression levels.Collectively,our findings have provided informative apaQTL resources and insights into the regulatory mechanisms linking apaQTL-associated variants to bladder cancer risk.

Genetic Variants in the ELOVL5 but not ELOVL2 Gene Associated with Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Han Chinese Breast Milk

The present study was designed to examine the contributions of the fatty acid elongase （ELOVL） gene polymorphisms to the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids （PUFAs） in breast milk. Two hundred and nine healthy Han Chinese mothers were included in the study. Carriers of minor alleles of SNPs （rs2397142 and rs9357760） in ELOVL5 were associated with higher levels of linoleic acid （LA）, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid （DGLA）, arachidonic acid （AA）, docosatetraenoic acid （DTA）, docosahexenoic acid （DHA）, while in rs209512 of ELOVL5 the carriers of minor alleles had lower levels of DTA compared to major homozygote alleles （P ranged from 0.004-0.046）, and genetically explained variability ranged from 3.2% for eicosapentaenoic acid （EPA） to 6.0% for LA. Our findings demonstrated that common variation in ELOVL5 gene encoding rate-limiting enzymes in the metabolism of PUFAs contribute to the PUFAs in breast milk.

Genes for the high life： New genetic variants point to positive selection for high altitude hypoxia in Tibetans

People living on the high plateaus of the world have long fascinated biological anthropologists and geneticists because they live in ＂thin air＂ and epitomize an extreme of human biological adaptation.

Genetic variants of innate immune receptors and infections after liver transplantation

Infection is the leading cause of complication after liver transplantation, causing morbidity and mortality in the first months after surgery. Allograft rejection is mediated through adaptive immunological responses, and thus immunosuppressive therapy is necessary after transplantation. In this setting, the presence of genetic variants of innate immunity receptors may increase the risk of post-transplant infection, in comparison with patients carrying wild-type alleles. Numerous studies have investigated the role of genetic variants of innate immune receptors and the risk of complication after liver transplantation, but their results are discordant. Tolllike receptors and mannose-binding lectin are arguably the most important studied molecules; however, many other receptors could increase the risk of infection after transplantation. In this article, we review the published studies analyzing the impact of genetic variants in the innate immune system on the development of infectious complications after liver transplantation.

GLTSCR1, ATM, PPPIR13L and CD3EAP Genetic Variants and Lung Cancer Risk in a Chinese Population

Genetic variants in glioma tumor suppressor candidate region gene 1 （GLTSCR1） and ATM serine/threonine kinase （ATM） have been associated with various cancer risks. Epidemiological studies also revealed the association of variants of GLTSCR1 and ATM genes with different brain tumors. However, little is known about the relationship between both gene polymorphisms and lung cancer risk. We conducted a Chinese hospital-based casecontrol study involving 384 lung cancer cases and 387 cancer-free controls. No significant differences in the single polymorphism （GLTSCR1 rs1035938 and ATM rs11212592） association were found in five genetic models （co-dominant, dominant, recessive, overdominant and log-additive models） （adjusted by smoking duration）. Join effect of three SNPs （PPPIR13L rs1970764, CD3EAP rs967591, GLTSCR1 rs1035938） on chromosome 19q 13.3 showed that the designated haplotype2 （rs 1970764 G-rs967591 A-rs 1035938 C） [OR （95% CI）=1.60 （1.11-2.32）, P=0.012] and haplotype8 （rs 1970764 G-rs967591 G-rs 1035938 T） [OR （95% CI）=2.45 （1.17-5.12）, P=0.018] were associated with increased risk of lung cancer （adjusted by smoking duration）. The analysis ofmultifactor dimensionality reduction revealed that two 3-way models were the best fit models in analyses of 2 loci （P〈0.001） or 4 loci （P=0.015-0.016）. The entropy-based analysis indicated the strongest synergistic effect between PPPIR13L rs1970764 and ATM rs11212592 in analysis of four genes. In conclusion, our study suggests that haplotypes consisting of PPPIR13L rs1970764- CD3EAP rs967591-GLTSCR1 rs1035938 on Chr19q13.3, interaction of smoking and GLTSCR1 rs1035938-ATM rs11212592, and synergistic action of PPPIR13L rs1970764 and ATM rs 11212592 may associate with lung cancer risk in the Chinese population.

Genetic variants associated with endometriosis patients:a systematic review

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrium-like tissue outside the uterus,80%of which occur in the ovaries.It is characterized by an estrogen-dependent produces periodic and repeated bleeding,and may be accompanied by clinical symptoms such as dysmenorrhea,fatigue,dysuria,deep dyspareunia,and infertility.Due to the complex etiology and the yet-unknown pathogenesis of endometriosis,and the treatment effect is not ideal,causing significant physical and mental harm to reproductive-age women;thus,it has become a hot research topic.Endometriosis is still a mysterious disease of unknown origin and pathogenesis.Genetic factors are known to affect the manifestation and progression of endometriosis.A selection of genetic studies revealed genetic mutations and polymorphisms of endometriosis and their effects on the risk of developing this disease.This paper aimed to discuss the genetic variants associated with the risk of endometriosis and provided information to enrich the gene spectrum of endometriosis.

Genetic variants in RAN, DICER and HIWI of microRNA biogenesis genes and risk of cervical carcinoma in a Chinese population

Objective：Recent evidence indicates that dysregulation of microRNA （miRNA） biogenesis is implicated in cancer development and progression.Based on the important role of miRNA biogenesis genes in carcinogenesis,we hypothesized that genetic variations of the miRNA biogenesis genes may modulate susceptibility to cervical cancer.Methods：We identified three single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） located in the 3＇-untranslated regions （3＇-UTR） of of miRNA biogenesis key genes （rs1057035 in DICER,rs3803012 in RAN and rs10773771 in HIWI） and genotyped these SNPs in a case-control study of 1,486 cervical cancer cases and 1,549 cancer-free controls in Chinese women.Results：Logistic regression analyses showed that no significant associations were observed between the three SNPs and cervical cancer risk [rs3803012 in RAN AG/GG vs.AA adjusted OR =1.104,95 ％ confidence interval （CI）：0.859-1.419; rs1057035 in DICER CT/CC vs.TT adjusted OR =0.962,95％ CI：0.805-1.149;rs10773771 in HIWICT/CC vs.TT adjusted OR =0.963,95％ CI：0.826-1.122].Conclusions：The findings did not suggest that genetic variants in the 3＇-UTR of RAN,DICER and HIWI of miRNA biogenesis genes were associated with the risk of cervical cancer in this Chinese population.

Genetic variation of circHIBADH enhances prostate cancer risk through regulating HNRNPA1-related RNA splicing

The current study aimed to investigate associations of circRNAs and related genetic variants with the risk of prostate cancer(PCa)as well as to elucidate biological mechanisms underlying the associations.We first compared expression levels of circRNAs between 25 paired PCa and adjacent normal tissues to identify riskassociated circRNAs by using the MiOncoCirc database.We then used logistic regression models to evaluate associations between genetic variants in candidate circRNAs and PCa risk among 4662 prostate cancer patients and 3114 healthy controls,and identified circHIBADH rs11973492 T>C as a significant risk-associated variant(odds ratio=1.20,95%confidence interval:1.08-1.34,P=7.06×10^(-4))in a dominant genetic model,which altered the secondary structure of the corresponding RNA chain.In the in silico analysis,we found that circHIBADH sponged and silenced 21 RNA-binding proteins(RBPs)enriched in the RNA splicing pathway,among which HNRNPA1 was identified and validated as a hub RBP using an external RNA-sequencing data as well as the in-house(four tissue samples)and publicly available single-cell transcriptomes.Additionally,we demonstrated that HNRNPA1 influenced hallmarks including MYC target,DNA repair,and E2F target signaling pathways,thereby promoting carcinogenesis.In conclusion,genetic variants in circHIBADH may act as sponges and inhibitors of RNA splicing-associated RBPs including HNRNPA1,playing an oncogenic role in PCa.

Genetic screening of liver cancer:State of the art

Liver cancer,primarily hepatocellular carcinoma,remains a global health challenge with rising incidence and limited therapeutic options.Genetic factors play a pivotal role in the development and progression of liver cancer.This state-of-the-art paper provides a comprehensive review of the current landscape of genetic screening strategies for liver cancer.We discuss the genetic underpinnings of liver cancer,emphasizing the critical role of risk-associated genetic variants,somatic mutations,and epigenetic alterations.We also explore the intricate interplay between environmental factors and genetics,highlighting how genetic screening can aid in risk stratification and early detection via using liquid biopsy,and advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies.By synthesizing the latest research findings,we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art genetic screening methods for liver cancer,shedding light on their potential to revolutionize early detection,risk assessment,and targeted therapies in the fight against this devastating disease.

Genetic variant in a BaP-activated super-enhancer increases prostate cancer risk by promoting AhR-mediated FAM227A expression

Genetic variants in super-enhancers(SEs)are increasingly implicated as a disease risk-driving mechanism.Previous studies have reported an associations between benzo[a]pyrene(BaP)exposure and some malignant tumor risk.Currently,it is unclear whether BaP is involved in the effect of genetic variants in SEs on prostate cancer risk,nor the associated intrinsic molecular mechanisms.In the current study,by using logistic regression analysis,we found that rs5750581T>C in 22q-SE was significantly associated with prostate cancer risk(odds ratio=1.26,P=7.61×10^(-5)).We also have found that the rs6001092T>G,in a high linkage disequilibrium with rs5750581T>C(r^(2)=0.98),is located in a regulatory aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AhR)motif and may interact with the FAM227A promoter in further bioinformatics analysis.We then performed a series of functional and BaP acute exposure experiments to assess biological function of the genetic variant and the target gene.Biologically,the rs6001092-G allele strengthened the transcription factor binding affinity to AhR,thereby upregulating FAM227A,especially upon exposure to BaP,which induced the malignant phenotypes of prostate cancer.The current study highlights that AhR acts as an environmental sensor of BaP and is involved in the SE-mediated prostate cancer risk,which may provide new insights into the etiology of prostate cancer associated with the inherited SE variants under environmental carcinogen stressors.

BRSK2 in pancreatic β cells promotes hyperinsulinemia-coupled insulin resistance and its genetic variants are associated with human type 2 diabetes

Brain-specific serine/threonine-protein kinase 2(BRSK2)plays critical roles in insulin secretion andβ-cell biology.However,whether BRSK2 is associated with human type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)has not been determined.Here,we report that BRSK2 genetic variants are closely related to worsening glucose metabolism due to hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in the Chinese population.BRSK2 protein levels are significantly elevated inβcells from T2DM patients and high-fat diet(HFD)-fed mice due to enhanced protein stability.Mice with inducibleβ-cell-specific Brsk2 knockout(βKO)exhibit normal metabolism with a high potential for insulin secretion under chow-diet conditions.Moreover,βKO mice are protected from HFD-induced hyperinsulinemia,obesity,insulin resistance,and glucose intolerance.Conversely,gain-of-function BRSK2 in matureβcells reversibly triggers hyperglycemia due toβ-cell hypersecretion-coupled insulin resistance.Mechanistically,BRSK2 senses lipid signals and induces basal insulin secretion in a kinase-dependent manner.The enhanced basal insulin secretion drives insulin resistance andβ-cell exhaustion and thus the onset of T2DM in mice fed an HFD or with gain-of-function BRSK2 inβcells.These findings reveal that BRSK2 links hyperinsulinemia to systematic insulin resistance via interplay betweenβcells and insulin-sensitive tissues in the populations carrying human genetic variants or under nutrient-overload conditions.

Genetic Variations and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease:Field Synopsis,Systematic Meta-Analysis,and Epidemiological Evidence

Objective To systematically summarize the published literature on the genetic variants associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Methods Literature from Web of Science,PubMed,and Embase between January 1980 and September 2022 was systematically searched.Meta-analyses of the genetic variants were conducted using at least five data sources.The epidemiologic credibility of the significant associations was graded using the Venice criteria.Results Based on literature screening,399 eligible studies were included,comprising 381 candidate gene association,16 genome-wide association,and 2 whole-exome sequencing studies.We identified 465 genetic variants in 173 genes in candidate gene association studies,and 25 genetic variants in 17 genes were included in the meta-analysis.The meta-analysis identified 11 variants in 10 genes that were significantly associated with NAFLD,with cumulative epidemiological evidence of an association graded as strong for two variants in two genes(HFE,TNF),moderate for four variants in three genes(TM6SF2,GCKR,and ADIPOQ),and weak for five variants in five genes(MBOAT7,PEMT,PNPLA3,LEPR,and MTHFR).Conclusion This study identified six variants in five genes that had moderate to strong evidence of an association with NAFLD,which may help understand the genetic architecture of NAFLD risk.

Comparison of Aspirin and Naoxintong Capsule(脑心通胶囊)with Adjusted-Dose Warfarin in Elderly Patients with High-Risk of Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation and Genetic Variants of Vitamin K Epoxide Reductase

Objective： To compared the therapeutic effect of a Chinese patent medicine Naoxintong Capsule（脑心通胶囊, NXT） and aspirin with adjusted-dose warfarin in Chinese elderly patients（over 65 years） with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation（NVAF） and genetic variants of vitamin K epoxide reductase（VKORC1）, who are at high-risk of thromboembolism. Methods： A total of 151 patients, with NVAF and AA genotype of VKORC1-1639（a sensitive genotype to warfarin） and a CHA2 DS2-VASc clinical risk score of 2 or above, were chosen for this study. Patients were randomized into two groups and orally treated with a combination of aspirin（100 mg/day） and NXT（1.6 g thrice a day） or adjusted-dose warfarin [international normalized ratio 2.0–3.0）. The primary end points including ischemic stroke and death as well as the secondary end points including hemorrhage events were followed up for at least 1 year. Results： Baseline clinical data and the rates of primary end points were similar between groups. However, the rate of serious bleeding（secondary event） in the combination therapy group was lower than that in the adjusted-dose warfarin group（0% vs. 7.9%, odds ratio： 0.921, 95% confidence interval： 0.862–0.984, P=0.028）. Conclusions： Aspirin combined with NXT and warfarin displayed comparable rates of primary end point including ischemic stroke and all-cause death during the 1-year follow-up. However, as compared with warfarin, the combination therapy reduced the rate of serious bleeding. Therefore, aspirin combined with NXT might provide an alternative pharmacotherapy in preventing ischemic stroke for elderly patients with NAVF who cannot tolerate warfarin.（No. ChiC TR-TRC-13003596）

MTP genetic variants associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver in metabolic syndrome patients

This study was performed for investigation the relationship between variants of MTP gene polymorphism and the development of NAFLD in patients with and without MS.The study was included 174 NAFLD patients(106 with MS and 68 without MS),and 141 healthy control subjects.The 493 G/T polymorphism of MTP gene was evaluated by PCR-RFLP method.The frequency of MTP TT genotype and T allele were significantly higher in NAFLD patients when compared to healthy controls.Moreover,a significant association in MTP gene polymorphism was observed in NAFLD patients with MS compared to NAFLD patients without MS and controls.Our study suggested that MTP 493 G/T gene polymorphism may act as susceptibility biomarker for NAFLD and MS.

Association between Genetic Variants and Characteristic Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes:A Matched Case-Control Study

Objective： To examine the association of genetic variants with characteristic symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM）. Methods： A matched case-control study was performed to investigate the association between common variants in four genes （CDKAL1, GLIS3, GRK5, and TCFTL2） and symptoms of T2DM. Symptoms were examined with questionnaire for 710 subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cell by salting-out procedure. Genotyping was carried out by direct sequencing of the unpurified polymerase chain reaction products. Result： Most of the T2DM patients pressented characteristic symptoms, such as feeling weak in limbs （P=0.0057）, hand tremor （P=0.0208）, bradymasesis （P=0.0234）, and polyuria （P=0.0051）. Some of the T2DM patients shared characteristic symptoms, such as desire for cold drinks （P=0.0304）, polyphagia （P=0.0051）, and furred tongue （P=0.028）. The impaired glucose regulation （IGR） cases took only one characteristic symptom of frequent micturition （P=0.0422）. GLIS3 rs7034200 and GRK5 rs10886471 were significantly associated with increased T2DM risk （GLIS3 rs7034200 under dominant model： P=0.0307; GRK5 rs 10886471 under recessive model： P=0.0092）. However, only the rs10886471 polymorphism in GRK5 showed a significant effect on both differentiated symptoms and T2DM risk. The C-allele was involved in both dampness-heat encumbering Pi （Spleen） syndrome （P=0.047） and qi-yin deficiency syndrome （P=0.002） via increased GRK5 expression. Conclnsions： Both T2DM and IGR exhibited its corresponding characteristic symptoms. The variants of GRK5 were involved with both qi-yin deficiency syndrome and dampness-heat encumbering Pi syndrome.

Pathogenesis of premature coronary artery disease:Focus on risk factors and genetic variants

The development of premature coronary artery disease(PCAD)is dependent on both genetic predisposition and traditional risk factors.Strategies for unraveling the genetic basis of PCAD have evolved with the advent of modern technologies.Genome-wide association studies(GWASs)have identified a considerable number of common genetic variants that are associated with PCAD.Most of these genetic variants are attributable to lipid and blood pressure-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs).The genetic variants that predispose individuals to developing PCAD may depend on race and ethnicity.Some characteristic genetic variants have been identified in Chinese populations.Although translating this genetic knowledge into clinical applications is still challenging,these genetic variants can be used for CAD phenotype identification,genetic prediction and therapy.In this article we will provide a comprehensive review of genetic variants detected by GWASs that are predicted to contribute to the development of PCAD.We will highlight recent findings regarding CAD-related genetic variants in Chinese populations and discuss the potential clinical utility of genetic variants for preventing and managing PCAD.

Recent advances in the molecular genetics of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) is a complex disease in which both genetic and environmental factors interact in determining impaired β-cell insulin secretion and peripheral insulin resistance. Insulin resistance in muscle, liver and fat is a prominent feature of most patients with T2DM and obesity, resulting in a reduced response of these tissues to insulin. Considerable evidence has been accumulated to indicate that heredity is a major determinant of insulin resistance and T2DM. It is believed that, among individuals destined to develop T2DM, hyperinsulinemia is the mechanism by which the pancreatic β-cell initially compensates for deteriorating peripheral insulin sensitivity, thus ensuring normal glucose tolerance. Most of these people will develop T2DM when β-cells fail to compensate. Despite the progress achieved in this field in recent years, the genetic causes of insulin resistance and T2DM remain elusive.Candidate gene association, linkage and genome-wide association studies have highlighted the role of genetic factors in the development of T2DM. Using these strategies, a large number of variants have been identified in many of these genes, most of which may influence both hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance, adipogenesis and β-cell mass and function. Recently, a new gene has been identified by our research group, the HMGA1 gene, whose loss of function can greatly raise the risk of developing T2DM in humans and mice. Functional genetic variants of the HMGA1 gene have been associated with insulin resistance syndromes among white Europeans, Chinese individuals and Americans of Hispanic ancestry. These findings may represent new ways to improve or even prevent T2DM.