deCODE Discovers a Major Risk Factor for Type 2 Diabetes Dependent on Parent of Origin
Published In: Iceland, Medical 
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 1:57 PM
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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 +
info@decode.is

Gisli Arnason
+354-570-1900
info@decode.is

Joy Bessenger
+1-212-481-3891
ir@decode.is



SOURCE DeCODE Genetics Inc


 
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 1:57 PM

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