Researchers get step closer to diabetes cure

Researchers from the University of Auckland have discovered a missing link, and new hope, for people with type 2 diabetes.

A $1.2 million research project has found that a protein known as beta-catenin is crucial in maintaining stable and healthy blood sugar levels.

More than 260,000 New Zealanders live with type 2 diabetes, where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the cells in the body do not recognise insulin is present, leading to high levels of glucose in the blood.

University of Auckland lead researcher Professor Peter Shepherd and his team discovered that the the beta-catenin controls the release of the insulin hormone from the pancreas.

‘‘The big problem with type 2 diabetes is people don’t have the right level of insulin at the right time. But the beta-catenin can hold the insulin in the cell until it’s needed,’’ Shepherd said.

‘‘It’s like the volume control mechanism on your phone or TV.’’

Part of the project focused on a variant in a gene that is the biggest contributing factor to whether or not people are genetically susceptible to getting type 2 diabetes.

Shepherd said the discovery could lead to more targeted medications, instead of the ‘‘one-sizefits-all’’ approach that exists for type 2 diabetes management.

‘‘For the first time we can link the individual person with targeted, personalised treatments.’’

Health Research Council chief executive Professor Kath McPherson said the breakthrough was ‘‘very exciting’’ in terms of its potential for new treatments.

‘‘We’re not going to crack [diabetes] overnight’’, she said, but finding how our genes contribute to illnesses is ‘‘fundamental’’ in moving forward.