Objective: To investigate the contribution of MODY6 gene in the pathogenesis of familiar type 2 diabetes in Chinese population.
Methods: PCR and single strand configuration polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique was used to screen the coding sequence of NeuroD1/BETA2 gene for DNA variants in 188 probands in the pedigrees of familiar type 2 diabetes and 130 normal persons as controls in Beijing, China. The discovered variants were confirmed by sequencing.
Results: A4T5 polymorphism and a novel Gly12Arg mutation were found. The frequency of A4T5 of the patients was 19.7%, significantly higher than that of the controls (10.0%, P < 0.05). In the control group, the Homa-beta of the 13 subjects with T allele was 4.6 +/- 04, significantly lower than that of the 117 subjects without T allele (4.9 +/- 0.5, P < 0.05). Co-segregating with diabetes, Gly12Arg mutation was found in only one pedigree and in none normal subjects.
Conclusion: A4T5 polymorphism of NeuroD1/BETA2 gene is correlated with familiar type 2 diabetes in Chinese population. NeuroD1/BETA2 gene or its nearby gene may play a role in the pathogenesis of familiar type 2 diabetes. The novel GlyArg mutation may be a genetic cause of some diabetic pedigrees.