Correlation between KCNQ1 and KCNJ11 gene polymorphisms and type 2 and post-transplant diabetes mellitus in the Asian Indian population

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) share a common pathophysiology. However, diabetes mellitus is a complex disease, and T2DM and PTDM have different etiologies. T2DM is a metabolic disorder, characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, whereas PTDM is a condition of abnormal glucose tolerance, with variable onset after organ transplant. The KCNQ1 and KCNJ11 gene encode potassium channels, which mediate insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells, and <i>KCN</i> gene mutations are correlated with the development of diabetes. However, no studies have been carried out to establish an association between <i>KCNQ1</i> and <i>KCNJ11</i> gene polymorphisms and T2DM and PTDM. Therefore, our study was aimed at the identification of the role of <i>KCNQ1</i> and <i>KCNJ11</i> gene polymorphisms associated with T2DM and the risk of developing PTDM in the Asian Indian population. We have carried out a case-control study including 250 patients with T2DM, 250 control subjects, 42 patients with PTDM and 98 subjects with non-PTDM. PCR-RFLP analysis was carried out following the isolation of genomic DNA from EDTA-blood samples. The results of the present study reveal that two single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2283228 and rs5210, of the <i>KCNQ1</i> and <i>KCNJ11</i> genes, respectively) are associated with both T2DM and PTDM. The results of our study suggest a role of <i>KCNQ1</i> and <i>KCNJ11</i> gene variants in the increased risk of T2DM and PTDM in the Asian Indian population.