An international study led by Helmholtz Munich has investigated the relationship between genetic variants and plasma proteins in people of African descent on a large scale for the first time. The results identify population-specific protein patterns and potential biomarkers for type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is on the rise in sub-Saharan Africa, but it often goes undetected or misdiagnosed. Many diagnostic markers such as HbA1c were developed in European populations and are less reliable due to genetic differences in African groups. Large genetic and proteomic studies in Africa have been lacking so far.

The team analysed genomic and proteomic data from a Ugandan cohort. It identified nearly 400 genetic regions that influence plasma protein concentrations, including 58 previously unknown ones in African ancestry. In addition, 18 proteins were found that are causally associated with type 2 diabetes. Some of them can be influenced by existing drugs.

Several proteins, such as apolipoprotein F and lipoprotein lipase, showed unique patterns that do not occur in European populations. The data is publicly available.

The research team plans to expand to other African populations to develop representative biomarkers and tailored therapies.

Helmholtz Munich, Queen Mary University of London, Technical University of Munich, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit were involved in the study.

Original Paper:

Soremekun et al., 2025: Linking the plasma proteome to genetics in individuals from continental Africa provides insights into type 2 diabetes pathogenesis. Nature Genetics. DOI: 10.1038/s41588-025-02421-w

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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