Australian researchers have identified a master gene that could be key to reversing Type 2 diabetes. Called Id1, the gene switches on and disrupts beta cells inside the pancreas responsible for insulin production.

"The insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, a lot of genes are required for their normal function. This gene is a master regulator of those other genes. That's why it would be an effective gene to target," Dr Ross Laybutt of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney wrote in the Diabetes journal.

Laybutt said that the gene is also known to play a role in cancer and drugs already exist to target Id1. The institute's Diabetes and Obesity Research Program is planning to test if the drugs can switch off the gene, which could result in prevention or reversal of Type 2 diabetes.

Also known as adult-onset diabetes, Type 2 affects older people because of the inability of their pancreas to produce sufficient insulin to break down sugar. Known contributors to Type 2 diabetes are an unbalanced diet, high blood pressure, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

Type 2 diabetics usually can manage their ailment through medication, diet and regular physical activity, while Type 1 diabetics require insulin injections.

Laybutt estimated that it would take five to 10 years before a medication to reverse Type 2 diabetes could be marketed.

The finding was based on studies on mice and laboratory cell cultures. Mice that were fed with a high-fat diet had their Id1 genes switched on, which led to diabetes. Mice which were given a high-fat diet but had their Id1 gene blocked off did not develop diabetes.

About 700,000 Australians have Type 2 diabetes. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare recently warned of a rise on chronic kidney ailments, with the proportion of diabetics who would need kidney transplants or dialysis expected to rise to 64 per cent in 2020 from 45 per cent in 2008.

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