Transcription factor 7-like 2 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

By far the moat spectacular development in the field of multifactorial type 2 diabetes genetics has been the identification of transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2). It is one of the most important type 2 diabetes-susceptibility gene. Common variants in the gene that encodes TCF7L2 have been strongly associated with type 2 diabetes. The result has been proved in various ethnic groups ,but the study of TCF7L2 is just started in China. The TCF7L2 gene is on chromosome 10q25 and encoded 619 amino acids. It is a transcription factor involved in the Wnt signaling pathway. TCF7L2 plays an important role in glucose metabolism by regulating the production level of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). In addition ,tightly regulated Wnt signaling is required for the normal development of the pancreas and islets during embryonic growth. Key words: Single nucleotide polymorphisms; Transcription factor 7-like 2 ; Type 2 diabetes mellitus