According to research published today in Nature Genetics, the team from Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, and the CNRS Lille, France, have identified a gene (ENPP1), with strong links to childhood obesity in 3,147 in a sample of 4,886 French Caucasian individuals. They also found a genetic link between variants of the gene and severe, morbid and moderate obesity in adults.

Professor Philippe Froguel, from Imperial College London and Hammersmith Hospital, and senior author of the research says: "Although this discovery is not going to lead to a 'magic pill' for curing obesity and type 2 diabetes, it could help in identifying groups and individuals at increased risk. If we can identify those at risk at an earlier age, it may be possible to take preventative measures earlier on, and reduce the burden of ill health caused by obesity in later life."

The study also found a link between ENPP1 and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes when looking at a group of 2,569 North European diabetics and non-diabetics.

The team also believe that ENPP1 could be a factor in controlling insulin resistance -- where the body does not respond to its own insulin, allowing blood sugar levels to rise to dangerous levels in the bloodstream. They believe the gene is responsible for a molecular mechanism behind both obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Professor Froguel adds: "The identification of ENPP1 as a molecular mechanism for obesity and diabetes means we may be able to use it as a target to develop new therapies and treatments, ultimately leading to more effective ways of treating diabetes."

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Autism is a complex genetic disorder and it is believed that the combined action of a number of genes may increase a person's susceptibility to the condition. Genetic researchers at IntegraGen have been using the Company's novel GenomeHIP(TM) method to identify genes associated with autism. The Company has so far identified 12 regions of the genome linked to autism and, within those, has been able to specifically identify the region coding for PRKCB1. Work is continuing to identify further genes associated with autism within those loci identified.

As has been shown with this study, IntegraGen's work to identify the genes involved in autism will contribute towards understanding the mechanisms behind the disease. IntegraGen plans to use its knowledge of the genetic risk factors to develop a genetic risk assessment test for the condition, based on the PRKCB1 and additional genes which it hopes to launch in 2006. The Company envisages that this will be used to help confirm diagnosis and to help patients and families better understand the condition and its causes. They hope that it may also prove to be a useful tool in assessing the risk of the condition developing when a child is still too young to show clear symptoms, so that informed decisions can be made by clinicians as to the use of interventional therapies as early and as appropriately as possible, at a time when they are known to be most effective.

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