Rare Genetic Variants Linked to Six-Fold Higher Diabetes Risk, Study Finds

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have uncovered rare genetic variants that sharply increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. These findings, published in Nature Communications, reveal a six-fold higher likelihood of developing the condition for those carrying the variants. Only about one in 3,000 people inherits them, yet their impact is far stronger than previously known genetic factors.

The study focused on the gene GIGYF1, which regulates insulin and cell growth signalling. Researchers found that carriers of these rare variants face a 30% chance of developing type 2 diabetes—far above the 5% risk seen in the wider population. Beyond diabetes, those affected also show accelerated signs of ageing, including reduced muscle strength and increased body fat.

The work was funded by the Medical Research Council and drew on data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale health resource supported by Wellcome and other organisations. The full findings are available under the DOI 10.1038/s41467-021-24504-y.

This discovery highlights how rare genetic differences can drastically alter disease risk. With a six-fold increase in type 2 diabetes likelihood, carriers of these variants face significantly higher health challenges. The research also links these genes to broader ageing effects, offering new directions for future studies.