Researchers led by Michigan Technological University biologist Xiaoqing Tang found that the genetic material in question is a microRNA molecule called miR-30d, which is the same in mice and people.
MicroRNA, or miRNA, attaches to long RNA molecules and prevents them from making proteins.
Researchers found that the protein MAP4K4 blocks the formation of insulin when cells are under adverse conditions.
MAP4K4 interferes with the production of an important protein named MafA that binds to DNA and is an essential part of the insulin-making pathway.
In a series of experiments, Tang and her research team showed how miR-30d can counteract the tumour necrosis factor