In the past two years, a line of basic and genetic findings have been produced in the field of type 2 diabetes. Some evidence has suggested that mature β cell under long-term metabolic stress could de-differentiate into pre-endocrine cells and re-differentiate into α and PP endocrine cells. Several key factors were reported with genetic modified animal models in the past two years. A novel adipokine, Asprosin was found to control insulin resistance and food intake in both humans and mice. Additionally, researchers reported that gut microbiota was associated with the development of type 2 diabetes, and a few bacteria or certain enterotype could be valuable in the prediction of prevention and clinical intervention for diabetes. The genetic composition for missing heritability of type 2 diabetes and obesity was revealed with the next-generation sequencing strategy. Importantly, scientists at home and abroad made a significant progress in the field during the past few years, which should be reviewed here. (Chin J Endocrinol Metab, 2018, 34: 605-609)

Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Obesity; β-Cell de-differentiation; Insulin resistance; Genetic variantion