Scientists discover the function of NEUROD1 protein in the development of diabetes

Scientists from the Institute of Biotechnology (BTU) of the CAS at the Biotechnology and Biomedicine Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Charles University (BIOCEV) and the Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM) have elucidated the crucial role of the NEUROD1 protein in the development of severe diabetes. MODY6 diabetes is a subtype of diabetes caused by a mutation in the neurogenic differentiation factor 1 (NEUROD1) gene. Its activity is crucial during pancreatic development and essential for the regulation of insulin production. In the case of a chromosomal mutation in which part of the chromosome containing the gene for NEUROD1 is missing, very severe diabetes develops.