Recent progress in the molecular genetic aspects of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is one of the most common metabolic and endocrine disorders in developed countries. NIDDM is a multifactorial disorder in which genetic factors play a complex role in its development. Until recently, little has been known of the genetic determinants of NIDDM. Advances in molecular biological and molecular genetic approaches have now made it possible to begin to identify the diabetes susceptibility genes in NIDDM. This review describes the progress of recent research in the molecular genetic aspects of NIDDM.