[Genetic factors and insulin resistance]

Diabetes is characterized by impaired insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cell and/or insulin resistance in peripheral tissues. Genetic factors affecting the insulin sensitivities have been described, including the mutations of genes of insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate-1, glycogen synthase, uncoupling proteins, beta3-adrenergic receptor, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. Mutant insulin receptors might act as a monogenic factor, but most of the others act as one of the genetic factors of a polygenetic disease.