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Public release date: 11 December 2008
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Men genetic background and behaviour can project diabetes risk
Men's risk of developing diabetes can be calculated by
factors like their genetic background and behaviour, according to a new
study.
While scientists have learned a lot about human disease through research in
traditional laboratory mice, there are limits in studying genetic variation
since controlled breeding and diet introduces artificially influences.
In order to study diabetes risk in a more naturally genetically diverse
animal, Roxanne Oriel, Paul Vrana and colleagues studied glucose tolerance,
a test often used to diagnose diabetes and metabolic syndrome, in a type of
field mouse native to North America.
They specifically chose two species of Peromyscus that are closely
genetically related, but differ significantly in their behavioral traits and
native environment.
During their tests, they found that merely handling the male mice and
subjecting them to a placebo test - where glucose was replaced with saline -
resulted in significant differences in blood sugar levels.
Males of a calmer, more monogamous species had a higher level of stress
hormones and a superior ability to regulate blood sugar, in comparison to
males of a less calm, less monogamous species, or females of either species.
In combination with studies with male mice bred to have only swapped "male"
Y chromosomes, their study shows that a genetic variance linked to the Y
chromosome is responsible for the species-specific responses of the males to
stress.
Since previous studies of non-human primates by other research groups
demonstrates a link between stress hormone levels and monogamy, the UC
Irvine group propose that superior stress tolerance and blood sugar
regulation is related to monogamy in these mice.
Their work not only supports the study of mice with a more natural genetic
background, but also points to the importance of considering
gene-environment interactions, as well as behaviour, when calculating risk
of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and other common diseases.
The study is published in Disease Models & Mechanisms (DMM).
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