Genetics of diabetes and its complications.

D iabetes constitutes a major public health problem. Although substantial progress has been made in defining the genetic risk for specific subtypes of diabetes (e.g., maturity-onset diabetes of the young), the majority of genetic risk of diabetes (for type 1 and type 2) remain unresolved. This review focuses on the current knowledge of the genetic basis of diabetes and its complications, specifically diabetic nephropathy (DN). Ultimately, identification of genes that contribute to risk (or protection) of diabetes and its complications will allow identification of patients who have diabetes and are at risk and targeted treatment/interventional strategies.