deCODE Discovers a Major Risk Factor for Type 2 Diabetes Dependent on Parent of Origin
16 Décembre 2009 - 7:57PM
PR Newswire (US)
A Single SNP That Confers Increased Risk if Inherited From the
Father, but is Protective if Inherited From the Mother REYKJAVIK,
Iceland, December 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Scientists at deCODE
genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ:DCGN) publish in the journal Nature the
discovery of a version of a common single-letter variant in the
sequence of the human genome (SNP) with a major impact on
susceptibility to type 2 diabetes (T2D). The impact of the T2D
variant is not only large, but unusual: if an individual inherits
it from their father, the variant increases risk of T2D by more
than 30% compared to those who inherit the non T2D-linked version;
if inherited maternally, the variant lowers risk by more than 10%
compared to the non T2D-linked version. Nearly one quarter of those
studied have the highest risk combination of the versions of this
SNP, putting them at a roughly 50% greater lifetime risk of T2D
than the quarter with the protective combination. This is the
second largest effect of any genetic variant for T2D apart from
SNPs in TCF7L2, discovered by deCODE in 2006. "We could make this
discovery beacause we are in the unique position of being able to
distinguish what is inherited from the mother from what is
inherited from the father. This we can do because of the large
amount of data we have assembled on the Icelandic population. These
data empower us in many ways. For example, using our ability to
impute sequence data, we can multiply by 100 times the amount of
information generated by sequencing one individual. We can use
these tools to discover and integrate rarer variants into our tests
and scans, identify drug targets for licensing, and put our
know-how at the disposal of our service customers. We believe that
this is an important advantage for conducting large-scale whole
sequence studies over the next couple of years," said Kari
Stefansson, CEO of deCODE. Because the risk is inherited and varies
in this way, the SNP, located on chromsome 11, had never been
linked to T2D even though it had been genotyped in large,
traditional genome-wide association studies (GWAS). These do not
distinguish between paternally and maternally inherited SNPs. But
deCODE can track the parental origin of virtually any SNP in the
genome of the tens of thousands of Icelandic participants in the
company's gene discovery work. In this study, deCODE used its
population-wide genealogy database and proprietary statistical
tools to determine the parent of origin of a number of SNPs in some
40,000 Icelandic participants in the company's gene discovery
programs. Some of these SNPs had previously been associated with
different diseases and are located near "imprinted" genes - genes
in which only the maternally or paternally inherited copy is
"switched-on" to encode a protein. Five of these, one each in
breast and skin cancer and three in T2D, showed that the parental
origin of the variants affects the risk they confer. The paper,
"Parental origin of sequence variants associated with complex
diseases," is published online at http://www.nature.com/, and will
appear in the December 17 print edition. About deCODE deCODE is a
global leader in analysing and understanding the human genome.
deCODE has identified key variations in the sequence of the genome
conferring increased risk of major public health challenges from
cardiovascular disease to cancer, and employs its gene discovery
engine to develop DNA-based tests to assess individual risk of
common diseases; to license its tests and intellectual property to
partners; and to provide comprehensive, leading- edge contract
services to companies and research institutions around the globe.
Through its CLIA- and CAP-certified laboratory deCODE offers
DNA-based tests for gauging risk and empowering prevention of
common diseases, including deCODE T2(TM) for type 2 diabetes;
deCODE AF(TM) for atrial fibrillation and stroke; deCODE MI(TM) for
heart attack; deCODE ProstateCancer(TM) for prostate cancer; deCODE
Glaucoma(TM) for a major type of glaucoma; and deCODE BreastCancer,
for the common forms of breast cancer. Through its pioneering
personal genome analysis service deCODEme(TM), deCODE enables
individuals to better understand their risk of dozens of common
diseases and to learn about their ancestry and other traits. Visit
us on the web at http://www.decode.com/; at
http://www.decodediagnostics.com/; at http://www.decodeme.com/; and
on our blog at http://www.decodeyou.com/. Any statements contained
in this presentation that relate to future plans, events or
performance are forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements
regarding deCODE's expectations concerning the bankruptcy process
and the continuation of day-to-day operations. deCODE's actual
results could differ materially from those anticipated in the
forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties,
including, without limitation, (1) the impact of the announcement
of its bankruptcy filing on deCODE's operations; (2) the ability of
deCODE to maintain sufficient debtor-in-possession financing to
fund its operations and the expenses of the Chapter 11 proceeding;
(3) the ability of deCODE to obtain court approval of its motions
in the Chapter 11 proceeding; (4) the outcome and timing of the
proposed sale of deCODE's assets, including deCODE's ability to
close a transaction with SagaInvestments, LLC or any other
purchaser; (5) the uncertainty associated with motions by third
parties in the bankruptcy proceeding; (6) deCODE's ability to
obtain and maintain normal terms with vendors and service providers
and contracts that are critical to its operation; and (7) other
risks identified in deCODE's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, the risk
factors identified in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K
and any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in
our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K.
deCODE undertakes no obligation to update or alter these
forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise. Contacts: deCODE genetics Edward Farmer
+354-570-2819 + Gisli Arnason +354-570-1900 Joy Bessenger
+1-212-481-3891 DATASOURCE: DeCODE Genetics Inc CONTACT: Contacts:
deCODE genetics, Edward Farmer, +354-570-2819, ; Gisli Arnason,
+354-570-1900, ; Joy Bessenger, +1-212-481-3891,
Copyright
Decode Genetics (MM) (NASDAQ:DCGN)
Graphique Historique de l'Action
De Mai 2024 à Juin 2024
Decode Genetics (MM) (NASDAQ:DCGN)
Graphique Historique de l'Action
De Juin 2023 à Juin 2024