"The Genetic Landscape of Diabetes" introduces the reader to what diabetes is—from its discovery thousands of years ago to our modern-day understanding of how this disease, characterized by high blood sugar, develops.

The first chapter provides calculators that help you calculate your ideal body weight and BMI. Animated maps of the United States show the rise in obesity and diabetes.

Other chapters guide the reader through the genetic variations that may play roles in type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and other types. The genes discussed encode proteins that have diverse functions in cells—from transcription factors that influence the expression of other genes, to ion channels that control the release of insulin, from transporters that pump glucose into cells, to enzymes that speed up the break down of glucose.

The book closes with "NIH lectures"—videos of some of the most recent lectures given by researchers who have been invited to the NIH to discuss obesity and diabetes.

Contents

• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Chapter 1. Introduction to Diabetes
  Created: July 7, 2004.
  • Classification
  • History of Diabetes
  • Epidemiology
  • Physiology and Biochemistry of Sugar Regulation
  • The Story of Insulin
• Chapter 2. Genetic Factors in Type 1 Diabetes
  Created: July 7, 2004.
  • IDDM1 Contains the HLA Genes
  • IDDM2 Contains the Insulin Gene (INS)
  • Other Type 1 Diabetes Susceptibility Loci: IDDM3–IDDM18
  • An Inhibitor of the Immune Response (CTLA4)
• Chapter 3. Genetic Factors in Type 2 Diabetes
  Created: July 7, 2004.
  • The Sulfonylurea Receptor (ABCC8)
  • The Calpain 10 Enzyme (CAPN10)
  • The Glucagon Receptor (GCGR)
  • The Enzyme Glucokinase (GCK)
  • The Glucose Transporter GLUT2
  • The Transcription Factor HNF4A
  • The Insulin Hormone (INS)
  • The Insulin Receptor (INSR)
  • The Potassium Channel KCNJ11
  • The Enzyme Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL)
  • The Transcription Factor PPARG
  • The Regulatory Subunit of a Phosphorylating Enzyme (PIK3R1)
• Chapter 4. Other Types of Diabetes
  Created: July 7, 2004.
  • Genetic Defects of Beta Cell Function (MODY and Others)
  • MODY1: Caused by a Mutation in Transcription Factor HNF4A
  • MODY2: Caused by a Mutation in the Enzyme Glucokinase (GCK)
  • MODY3: Caused by a Mutation in Transcription Factor TCF1
  • MODY4: Caused by a Mutation in Transcription Factor IPF1
  • MODY5: Caused by a Mutation in Transcription Factor TCF2
  • MODY6: Caused by a Mutation in Transcription Factor NEUROD1
  • Genetic Defects in Insulin Action
  • Diseases in the Exocrine Pancreas
  • Diseases of the Endocrine System
  • Drug- or Chemical-induced Diabetes
  • Infections
  • Uncommon Forms of Immune-mediated Diabetes
  • Other Genetic Syndromes Sometimes Associated with Diabetes
• Chapter 5. Gestational Diabetes
  Created: July 7, 2004.
  • References
• NIH Lectures

Laura Dean graduated from Cambridge University, England, with a medical doctorate in 2000. After completing a rotation of endocrinology, surgery, and general practice, Dr. Dean joined the Bookshelf as a visiting research fellow.

Johanna McEntyre gained a Ph.D. in biotechnology at Manchester Metropolitan University, England, and went on to be staff editor of Trends in Biochemical Sciences before joining the NCBI in 1997.