Genetic Predisposition for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Cameroonian Population: Contribution of rs4731702(C/T) Polymorphism of Krüppel-Like Factor 14 Gene

Abstract

Background: Krüppel Like Factor 14 (KLF14) gene has recently been identified as a master gene for multiple metabolic phenotypes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between rs4731702(C/T) polymorphism of the KLF14 gene with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in a Cameroonian population. Methods: This case-control study included 85 T2DM patients and 95 healthy normoglycemic controls. They were all unrelated, of Cameroonian origin, and adults aged 24 years old and above. Demographic, clinical and biological data were collected, and biochemical explorations were performed using enzymatic colorimetric methods. The genotyping of KLF14 rs4731702(CT) gene polymorphism was done by the Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR RFLP). Results: In comparing the Cameroonian population that consisted of 85 patients with T2DM and 95 healthy controls, the minor or risk allele of the rs4731702(C/T) polymorphism of the KLF14 gene was T (63.53% diabetic patients vs. 26.32% healthy controls, OR=4.877 and p<0.0001) while the protective allele was C (36.47% diabetic patients vs. 73.68% healthy controls, OR=0.205 and p<0.0001). The susceptibility to T2DM was higher among subjects having the CT and TT genotypes with OR=2.721 and p=0.0145) and OR=3.907 and p<0.0001) respectively. This gene polymorphism was not preferentially associated with a specific diabetes phenotype. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study showed for the first time the association between KLF14 rs4731702(C/T) gene polymorphism and T2DM in the Cameroonian population. This gene polymorphism could be a promising target for personalize medicine through the development of clinical genetic testing.