Increased REDD1 expression is involved in the pathogenesis of several metabolic disorders, including obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D)6,7,9, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy10,11, muscle atrophy4,5, and hepatic steatosis6,7, as well as other pathogenic processes, such as neurodegeneration12,13, emphysema14, tumorigenesis15–17, and tumor angiogenesis8,18. Here, DDIT4 is linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus.