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Review
. 2025 Jun 2;17(1):185.
doi: 10.1186/s13098-025-01748-y.

Genetics of diabetes and its complications: a comprehensive review

Abdul Sami  1 , Ahsan Javed  2 , Dilber Uzun Ozsahin  3   4   5 , Ilker Ozsahin  5 , Khalid Muhammad  6 , Yasir Waheed  7   8   9   10
Affiliations
Review

Genetics of diabetes and its complications: a comprehensive review

Abdul Sami et al. Diabetol Metab Syndr. .

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Genetic research plays a crucial role in managing diabetes by providing valuable insights into genetic predispositions, facilitating early diagnosis, and enabling personalized treatment strategies. Identification of important genetic markers has paved the way for the creation of targeted therapies, enhancing treatment outcomes and promoting preventive care for both type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study is to explore the role of different genes in the development of DM and its related complications.

Methodology: A comprehensive literature search was conducted from October 27 to November 14, 2024, to enlist articles related to genes involved in development of DM and its complications in search engines including PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, and Scopus. We included original articles, case-control studies, cohort studies, review articles, systematic review, and meta-analysis published between January 1, 2014, and November 14, 2024 in our study.

Results: In T1DM; research has historically concentrated on the role of HLA class II genes. However, recent studies have brought attention to the role of HLA class I genes in the disease's development, suggesting a broader role of genetics than previously understood. CTLA4, IL2RA, and PTPN22, genes were also significantly linked to T1DM. In T2DM; TCF7L2 was found to be the most potent gene for its development among others genes such as LCAT, APOE, FTO. For gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), MTNR1B, CDKAL1, and IRS1 genes played an important role.

Conclusion: Genetics played an important role in the understanding of DM. Researchers have identified new genetic loci that can serve as diagnostic markers for DM and its associated compilations such as diabetic kidney disease (DKD), diabetic neuropathy (DN), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). TCF7L2 and HLA class II are the strongest risk factors for T2DM and T1DM, respectively. Understanding the genetics of DM and its complications is essential for improving early detection, enhancing treatment outcomes, and developing targeted therapies for DM patients.

Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus; Early diagnosis; Gene wide association studies; Genetics; Gestational Diabetes Mellitus; Insulin Resistance; Personalised healthcare; Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus; Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Type 3c Diabetes Mellitus.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethical approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The autoimmune mechanism involved in pathophysiology of T1DM
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Various risk factors associated with T2DM
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Genetic insights into the role of key genes in the development of diabetes and its associated complications. T1DM Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, T2DM Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, GDM Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, DN Diabetic Neuropathy, DR Diabetic Retinopathy, DKD Diabetic Kidney Disease
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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