deCODE Discovers a Major Risk Factor for Type 2 Diabetes Dependent on Parent of Origin
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 +
info@decode.is
Gisli Arnason
+354-570-1900
info@decode.is
Joy Bessenger
+1-212-481-3891
ir@decode.is
Source: DeCODE Genetics Inc
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
Posted: December 2009
