started · updated
USC Researchers Identify MENTSH Microprotein Linked to Type 2 Diabetes
University of Southern California scientists have identified a mitochondrial‑derived microprotein, named MENTSH, that is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The discovery stems from a genome‑wide interaction study of more than 15,000 adults, which revealed a single‑nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that disables the start codon of the MENTSH gene. This SNP is most common in Indigenous American populations and appears in roughly 20 % of Mexican and Mexican‑American individuals, suggesting a genetic contribution to the high burden of metabolic disease in these groups.
Preclinical experiments showed that restoring MENTSH expression improves insulin signalling and prevents diet‑induced weight gain. The findings were published on July 20 in the journal *Theranostics* and are presented as a potential avenue for precision‑medicine approaches to treating type 2 diabetes.
Entities
Indigenous American populations · MENTSH · MENTSH microprotein · Pinchas Cohen · Theranostics · University of Southern California
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The findings were published on July 20 in the journal Theranostics. today.usc.edu · www.usc.edu · usc.edu · www.immedicohospitalario.es
- [● 3 SOURCES] Restoring MENTSH improves insulin signaling and blocks diet‑induced weight gain in preclinical studies. today.usc.edu · www.usc.edu · usc.edu
- [● 3 SOURCES] The SNP is most frequent in populations indigenous to the Americas and in about 20 % of Mexican and Mexican‑American individuals. today.usc.edu · www.usc.edu · usc.edu
- [● 3 SOURCES] The discovery suggests the SNP may be a genetic contributor to metabolic disease in the affected population. today.usc.edu · www.usc.edu · usc.edu
- [● 4 SOURCES] The study analyzed health and genetic data from more than 15,000 adults in a mitochondrial genome‑wide interaction study. today.usc.edu · www.usc.edu · usc.edu · www.immedicohospitalario.es
- [● 3 SOURCES] A common SNP in Indigenous American populations disables the start codon of the MENTSH gene. today.usc.edu · www.usc.edu · usc.edu
- [● 3 SOURCES] Pinchas Cohen is the senior author, a USC Distinguished Professor and dean of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. today.usc.edu · www.usc.edu · usc.edu
- [● 4 SOURCES] Researchers discovered a mitochondrial‑derived microprotein named MENTSH (MDP Encoded in the ND‑Two Subunit of Humans). today.usc.edu · www.usc.edu · usc.edu · www.immedicohospitalario.es