Gene chip used to find diabetes gene

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BOSTON, April 28 (UPI) -- Researchers said Friday they have used gene-chip technology to uncover a gene that appears linked to diabetes.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School -- doing studies as part of the Diabetes Genome Anatomy Project -- said they have identified a gene dubbed "ARNT" and have found that, in studies of mice, animals without the ARNT gene developed hyperglycemia and diabetic symptoms, while normal mice did not.

Scientists are closely assessing the ARNT gene and its activity to determine its role in developing type 2 diabetes in humans.

"This breathtaking basic science should permit us a better understanding of the development of diabetes, and hopefully allow new therapeutic tools to manage diabetes more effectively," said Victor Roberts, clinical professor of medicine at the University of Florida and member of the National Board of Directors of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.

Results of the study were presented this week at AACE's annual meeting.