What is Epigenetics by Prof. André SCHEEN

Epigenetics is one of the most promising research areas regarding the development of certain diseases, particularly type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is characterized by a chronic elevation of blood glucose levels. It includes several distinct forms, such as type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, as well as atypical forms like the various types of MODY. Each of these forms has both a genetic and an environmental component, which influence the onset and progression of the disease in varying ways depending on the type of diabetes and the individual profile of the patient.

Heredity and Environment: the main factors Involved in the development of type 2 diabetes

InThe factors contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes are multiple and complex. Heredity plays a significant role, with a strong genetic component that can predispose certain individuals to develop the disease A family history of type 2 diabetes is often observed in individuals with the disease.. The environment, on the other hand, exerts a major influence. Factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, an unbalanced diet (high in sugars and fats), and overweight or obesity are well-established as important determinants in the onset of type 2 diabetes. These environmental factors can affect metabolism and the body’s response to insulin, thereby promoting the development of the disease. En conclusion, type 2 diabetes results from the complex interaction between genetic predispositions and environmental influences, and understanding these factors is crucial for preventing and managing this increasingly prevalent health condition worldwide.

L’Epigenetic Inheritance

In addition to genetic capital (DNA) and environmental factors, epigenetics has emerged in recent years as an interface between genes and the environment, capable of modulating the impact of the genome. Epigenetics involves mechanisms that alter gene expression without changing the nucleotide sequence (DNA). It therefore studies changes in gene activity — and the resulting phenotypic variations — that are passed down through cell divisions or generations without involving DNA mutations. Thus, alongside classical genetic inheritance, there is also epigenetic inheritance. These epigenetic modifications can be influenced by various external factors such as diet, stress, exposure to toxins, and other environmental conditions. They play a crucial role in regulating genes and, consequently, in the development and progression of various diseases, including type 2 diabetes.

Epigenetics or reading a book

These definitions may seem complexe for non-specialists. A figurative comparison might be more illustrative for everyone. By analogy, the “genetic-epigenetic pair” can be compared to the “writing and reading of a book” . Once the book is written, the text (corresponding to the genes, i.e., the information stored as DNA) remains fixed and identical in all copies available to the public. However, each reader of the same book will have a different interpretation of the story. Similarly, epigenetics allows for multiple readings of a fixed matrix (the genetic code), leading to various interpretations that result in different phenotypes (the set of observable characteristics of an individual). To summarize, one could say: “Genetics proposes, epigenetics disposes.” Research is therefore being conducted to better understand the role of epigenetics in the development of diabetes and its complications, and to develop new prevention strategies: Discover two projects funded by the Francophone Foundation for Diabetes Research in the article « deux projets de recherche soutenus sur l’épigénétique », also written by Prof. André SCHEEN in support of the FFD.