Genetics of Diabetes Susceptibility

Nalongo Bina K.

Faculty of Medicine Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus is a complex and heterogeneous metabolic disorder resulting from the interplay between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Advances in genetic research have significantly improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying diabetes risk, particularly for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T1DM is primarily an autoimmune condition characterized by immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, while T2DM is a multifactorial disease driven by insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous genetic loci associated with conditions, highlighting their polygenic nature and revealing pathways involved in β-cell function, insulin signaling, immune regulation, and metabolic homeostasis. In addition to polygenic risk, monogenic forms of diabetes, such as maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) and permanent neonatal diabetes, demonstrate the impact of high-penetrance variants on disease development and therapeutic response. Gene–environment interactions, ethnic diversity in genetic risk, and functional genomic insights further refine current models of diabetes susceptibility. This review synthesizes evidence on the genetic architecture of diabetes, explores translational applications in genetic risk prediction and precision medicine, and addresses ethical, legal, and social considerations. Understanding the genetic basis of diabetes offers critical opportunities for early risk identification, targeted prevention, and personalized therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing the global burden of diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Genetic susceptibility, Genome-wide association studies (GWAS), Polygenic risk, and Precision medicine.

CITE AS: Nalongo Bina K.. (2026). Genetics of Diabetes Susceptibility. IDOSR JOURNAL OF APPLIED SCIENCES 11(1):135-140. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSRJAS/2026/111135140