While the biological relevance of these findings with regard to type 1 and type 2 diabetes remains to be clarified, it is tempting to hypothesize that a putative defect in HMGA1, by adversely affecting binding of PDX-1 and MafA to the INS gene, under either basal or glucose-stimulated conditions, may impair INS gene transcription, leading to decreased insulin synthesis and secretion. The gene discussed is INS; the disease is type 2 diabetes mellitus.