Epigenetic modifications and their role in the development and disease progression of type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes is one of the major public health issues and a complex metabolic disorder strongly associated with genetic predisposition influenced by environmental factors and epigenetic regulation. This review paper illustrated the role of epigenetics in the pathogenesis, progression, and detection of Type 2 Diabetes. A review study was performed for the articles published in English from 2000-2019 using Pub Med, and Google Scholar databases. Main underlining mechanisms of Type 2 Diabetes were identified; insulin resistance in the peripheral tissue, and disintegrate insulin secretion. Genome Wide Association Studies suggested that epigenetic regulation such as DNA methylation, Histone modification, Non-coding RNA, microRNA is strongly related with the development of Type 2 Diabetes. Altered DNA methylation patterns in pancreatic islets, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, from diabetic subjects compare to normal subjects was also found. Other risk factors like; obesity, age, gender, impaired glucose tolerance, periconception and intrauterine environment may also have been linked with the possibilities of epigenetic changes. Epigenetics plays a crucial role by modifying the gene expression and establish a relationship between the environment and genetic factors. Understanding the epigenetic mechanisms contributing to the development of Type 2 Diabetes is still limited.