Dubai, July 8 -- Researchers at Mayo Clinic's Center for Individualized Medicine have discovered a rare genetic variant that can directly cause metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Until now, scientists believed the disease resulted from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. This study, published in Hepatology, reveals that in some cases, a single inherited variant can be the primary driver.

The researchers identified this variant in the MET gene, which regulates liver repair and fat metabolism. When the gene malfunctions, fat accumulates in liver cells and triggers inflammation. Over time, this leads to fibrosis and scarring, which stiffens the liver...