Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kir1.1 , Kir6.2

Title: Genetic study of Saudi diabetes (GSSD): significant association of the KCNJ11 E23K polymorphism with type 2 diabetes.

Authors: Osama Alsmadi, Khalid Al-Rubeaan, Salma M Wakil, Faiqa Imtiaz, Gamal Mohamed, Haya Al-Saud, Nouran Abu Al-Saud, Nasser Aldaghri, Shahinaz Mohammad, Brian F Meyer

Journal, date & volume: Diabetes Metab. Res. Rev., 2008 Feb , 24, 137-40

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17922473

Abstract
The E23K variant of KCNJ11 has been associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in several but not all populations studied. Thus far, despite a high incidence of T2D, the role of this variant in Arabs has not been established.We performed a case-control association study using 550 T2D Saudi patients (WHO criteria), and 335 controls (age>or=60; fasting plasma glucose<7 mmol/L). E23K genotyping was performed by using molecular beacon-based real time PCR assays.The difference in K or risk allele frequency of cases and controls was significant with an OR of 1.7 (p=0.0001). The K allele is more common among T2D patients (21%) than in the age and sex matched controls (13.6%). This was consistent with a likely eventual conversion to T2D of younger normoglycemic individuals as they grow older.Our results report for the first time a positive association of the E23K variant with T2D in an Arab population. Confirmation by a larger study is indicated.