Scientists are looking to a specific gene called TXNIP as a possible means of preventing the onset of type 2 and prediabetes. What's known at this point is that in patients who express high levels TXNIP (which is oftentimes the case with those that have type 2 or prediabetes), these elevated levels can inhibit glucose uptake in fat and muscle cells.

More or less, the researchers believe that TXNIP acts as a glucose/insulin sensitive switch, and this function becomes compromised early in the development of diabetes. But, there is still a great deal more investigation into the role of TXNIP to be done before scientists know its exact rule in glucose homeostasis.

Nevertheless, the research thus far points to some connection between TXNIP and the onset of type 2 and prediabetes, and interventions designed to modulate its activity may help prevent the development of the disease in the future.

For more information on this study, click on this ridiculously long link: http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0040158