Genomic Editing and Diabetes.

Abstract

The diabetes types and its complications have varying developmental and metabolic pathways. There is an interplay of nongenetic and genetic components in pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications. There are several established genes such as ABCC8, TCF7L2, SLC2A2, and CAPN10 which are known to influence blood insulin and glucose levels. Current management of diabetes types may include lifetime burdensome use of insulin, insulin sensitizers, insulin secretagogues, etc. There has been increasing interest in improving genetic editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 and using genetically edited stem cells to alter diabetes disease course or possibly cure it. Current research on microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs may provide insights into the pathways involved in development of diabetes and its complications. Consequently, developing further understanding of genetics and its messenger pathways in diabetes would enhance our ability to develop precise and accurate genetic editing tools which can translate into clinically useful therapeutics.