Project description:TCF7L2 is the most potent locus for type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk and the first locus to have been robustly reported by genomic linkage studies. TCF7L2 is a transcription factor that forms a basic part of the Wnt signaling pathway. This gene has highly conserved sequence regions that correspond to functional domains. The association of TCF7L2 with T2D is one of the most powerful genetically discovered in studies of complex diseases, as it has been consistently replicated in multiple populations with diverse genetic origins. The mechanisms over which TCF7L2 exerts its effect on T2D are still not well understood. In this article, we describe the main molecular mechanisms of how TCF7L2 is related to T2D. TCF7L2 variants associated with T2D risk exert an influence on the initial therapeutic success of the hypoglycemic oral agent sulfonylurea. Thus, it is important to know whether there are other TCF7L2 variants associated with T2D that can influence treatment with oral hypoglycemic agents. Resequencing of the TCF7L2 gene in diverse ethnic groups is required to reveal common and rare variations and their role in different pathologies and in adverse reactions to drugs. Identification of TCF7L2-susceptibility disease variants will permit, at a given moment, offering of therapies to patients according to their genotype.
Project description:During development of type 2 diabetes (T2D), excessive nutritional load is thought to expose pancreatic islets to toxic effects of lipids and reduce β-cell function and mass. However, lipids also play a positive role in cellular metabolism and function. Thus, proper trafficking of lipids is critical for β cells to maximize the beneficial effects of these molecules while preventing their toxic effects. Lipid droplets (LDs) are organelles that play an important role in the storage and trafficking of lipids. In this review, we summarize the discovery of LDs in pancreatic β cells, LD lifecycle, and the effect of LD catabolism on β-cell insulin secretion. We discuss factors affecting LD formation such as age, cell type, species, and nutrient availability. We then outline published studies targeting critical LD regulators, primarily in rat and human β-cell models, to understand the molecular effect of LD formation and degradation on β-cell function and health. Furthermore, based on the abnormal LD accumulation observed in human T2D islets, we discuss the possible role of LDs during the development of β-cell failure in T2D. Current knowledge indicates that proper formation and clearance of LDs are critical to normal insulin secretion, endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis, and mitochondrial integrity in β cells. However, it remains unclear whether LDs positively or negatively affect human β-cell demise in T2D. Thus, we discuss possible research directions to address the knowledge gap regarding the role of LDs in β-cell failure.
Project description:Many reports in different populations have demonstrated linkage of the 10q24-q26 region to schizophrenia, thus encouraging further analysis of this locus for detection of specific schizophrenia genes. Our group previously reported linkage of the 10q24-q26 region to schizophrenia in a unique, homogeneous sample of Arab-Israeli families with multiple schizophrenia-affected individuals, under a dominant model of inheritance. To further explore this candidate region and identify specific susceptibility variants within it, we performed re-analysis of the 10q24-26 genotype data, taken from our previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) (Alkelai et al, 2011). We analyzed 2089 SNPs in an extended sample of 57 Arab Israeli families (189 genotyped individuals), under the dominant model of inheritance, which best fits this locus according to previously performed MOD score analysis. We found significant association with schizophrenia of the TCF7L2 gene intronic SNP, rs12573128, (p?=?7.01×10??) and of the nearby intergenic SNP, rs1033772, (p?=?6.59×10??) which is positioned between TCF7L2 and HABP2. TCF7L2 is one of the best confirmed susceptibility genes for type 2 diabetes (T2D) among different ethnic groups, has a role in pancreatic beta cell function and may contribute to the comorbidity of schizophrenia and T2D. These preliminary results independently support previous findings regarding a possible role of TCF7L2 in susceptibility to schizophrenia, and strengthen the importance of integrating linkage analysis models of inheritance while performing association analyses in regions of interest. Further validation studies in additional populations are required.
Project description:Recent human genetics studies have revealed that common variants of the TCF7L2 (T-cell factor 7-like 2, formerly known as TCF4) gene are strongly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We have shown that TCF7L2 expression in the beta-cells is correlated with function and survival of the insulin-producing pancreatic beta-cell. In order to understand how variations in TCF7L2 influence diabetes progression, we investigated its mechanism of action in the beta-cell. We show robust differences in TCF7L2 expression between healthy controls and models of T2DM. While mRNA levels were approximately 2-fold increased in isolated islets from the diabetic db/db mouse, the Vancouver Diabetic Fatty (VDF) Zucker rat and the high fat/high sucrose diet-treated mouse compared with the non-diabetic controls, protein levels were decreased. A similar decrease was observed in pancreatic sections from patients with T2DM. In parallel, expression of the receptors for glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1R) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP-R) was decreased in islets from humans with T2DM as well as in isolated human islets treated with siRNA to TCF7L2 (siTCF7L2). Also, insulin secretion stimulated by glucose, GLP-1 and GIP, but not KCl or cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was impaired in siTCF7L2-treated isolated human islets. Loss of TCF7L2 resulted in decreased GLP-1 and GIP-stimulated AKT phosphorylation, and AKT-mediated Foxo-1 phosphorylation and nuclear exclusion. Our findings suggest that beta-cell function and survival are regulated through an interplay between TCF7L2 and GLP-1R/GIP-R expression and signaling in T2DM.
Project description:BackgroundData on the genetic variants for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in sub-Saharan African populations are very scarce. This study aimed to investigate the association of transcription factor 7-like (TCF7L2) with T2DM in a Cameroonian population and explore possible genotype-phenotype correlation.MethodsThis is a case-control study involving 37 T2DM patients and 37 non-diabetic volunteers of Cameroonian ethnicity aged 40 years old and above. We collected clinical and biological data to determine phenotypic traits. TCF7L2 was analyzed by genotyping for rs7903146 (C/T) using PCR-RFLP. Biochemical analyses were performed using a spectrophotometer with Chronolab kits. Statistical analyses were carried out using IBM SPSS, PS and Quanto.ResultsTCF7L2 was associated with T2DM in this Cameroonian population (p = 0.013 for alleles, and p = 0.013 for genotypes). The risk allele was C (9.5% patients vs. 0% healthy controls, OR = 16.56) and the protective allele was T (90.5% patients vs. 100.0% healthy controls, OR = 0.06). The risk genotype was C/T (18.9% patients vs. 0% healthy controls, OR = 18.44), while the protective genotype was T/T (81.1% patients vs. 100.0% healthy controls, OR = 0.054). The statistical power was 99.99%. TCF7L2 was not preferentially associated with a specific disease phenotype.ConclusionTCF7L2 is associated with T2DM in this Cameroonian population. The association is not dependent on a specific T2DM phenotype. Clinical genetic testing for TCF7L2 can help to predict the occurrence of T2DM in Cameroon.
Project description:The diabetes-associated allele in TCF7L2 increases the rate of conversion to diabetes; however, the mechanism by which this occurs remains elusive. We hypothesized that the diabetes-associated allele in this locus (rs7903146) impairs insulin secretion and that this defect would be exacerbated by acute free fatty acid (FFA)-induced insulin resistance. We studied 120 individuals of whom one-half were homozygous for the diabetes-associated allele TT at rs7903146 and one-half were homozygous for the protective allele CC. After a screening examination during which glucose tolerance status was determined, subjects were studied on two occasions in random order while undergoing an oral challenge. During one study day, FFA was elevated by infusion of Intralipid plus heparin. On the other study day, subjects received the same amount of glycerol as present in the Intralipid infusion. β-Cell responsivity indices were estimated with the oral C-peptide minimal model. We report that β-cell responsivity was slightly impaired in the TT genotype group. Moreover, the hyperbolic relationship between insulin secretion and β-cell responsivity differed significantly between genotypes. Subjects also exhibited impaired suppression of glucagon after an oral challenge. These data imply that a genetic variant harbored within the TCF7L2 locus impairs glucose tolerance through effects on glucagon as well as on insulin secretion.
Project description:ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to explore the mechanism by which TCF7L2 rs7903146 risk allele confers susceptibility to impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) in obese adolescents.Research design and methodsThe rs7903146 variant in the TCF7L2 gene was genotyped in a multiethnic cohort of 955 youths. All subjects underwent an oral glucose tolerance test with the use of the Oral Minimal Model to assess insulin secretion, and 33 subjects underwent a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. In 307 subjects, a follow-up oral glucose tolerance test was repeated after 3.11 ± 2.36 years.ResultsThe TCF7L2 rs7903146 risk allele was associated with higher 2-h glucose levels in Caucasians (P = 0.006) and African Americans (P = 0.009), and a trend was seen also in Hispanics (P = 0.072). Also, the T allele was associated with decreased β-cell responsivity and IGT (P < 0.05). Suppression of endogenous hepatic glucose production was lower in subjects with the risk variant (P = 0.006). Finally, the odds of showing IGT/T2D at follow-up were higher in subjects carrying the minor allele (odds ratio 2.224; 95% CI 1.370-3.612; P = 0.0012).ConclusionsThe rs7903146 variant in the TCF7L2 gene increases the risk of IGT/T2D in obese adolescents by impairing β-cell function, and hepatic insulin sensitivity predicts the development of IGT/T2D over time.
Project description:IntroductionThe variants rs10517086 and rs1534422 are predictive of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) development and poor residual β cell function within the first year of diagnosis. However, the mechanism by which risk is conferred is unknown. We explored the impact of both variants on β cell function in vitro and assessed their relationship with C-peptide in people with T1DM and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsUsing CRISPR/Cas9, the variants were introduced into a β cell line (BRIN-BD11) and a T cell line (Jurkat cells) from which the conditioned media was applied to otherwise healthy β cells to model the inflammatory environment associated with these variants.ResultsBoth variants significantly reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduced expression of several β cell markers and transcription factors (KCNJ11, KCNQ1, SCL2A2, GCK, NKX6.1, Pdx1 NGN3). However, HNF1A was significantly upregulated in the presence of both variants. We subsequently silenced HNF1A in variant expressing BRIN-BD11 cells using siRNA and found that gene expression profiles were normalised. Induction of each variant significantly increased expression of the lncRNAs they encode, which was normalised upon HNF1A silencing. Analysis of the DARE (Diabetes Alliance for Research in England) study revealed an association of rs10517086_A genotype with C-peptide in 153 individuals with T1DM, but not in 417 people with T2DM.ConclusionsThese data suggest that rs1534422 and rs10517086 exert multiple insults on the β cell through excessive upregulation of HNF1A and induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and highlight their utility as prognostic markers of β cell function.
Project description:BackgroundTranscription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2), which previously known as TCF-4, is a major form of transcription factor involved in the downstream WNT signaling and exhibits the strongest association to diabetes susceptibility. Although we still do not know mechanistically how TCF7L2 exerts its physiological functions on pancreatic endocrine cells, it had been suggested that TCF7L2 may directly affect β-cell function by regulating the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.MethodsMIN6 cells were transfected with TCF7L2 knockdown virus or lenti-TCF7L2 virus for 48 h to evaluate the contribution of TCF7L2 to the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and pancreatic β-cell function. This was confirmed by measuring the expression of PI3K p85 and p-Akt by western blotting and insulin secretion by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments were performed to explore the genomic distribution of TCF7L2-binding sites in the promoter of PIK3R1, the affinity between which was analyzed by the luciferase reporter assay.ResultsIn the present study, we strikingly identified that TCF7L2 could profoundly inhibit the expression of PIK3R1 gene and its encoding protein PI3K p85, which then could lead to the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling and stimulate insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. However, the integrity and stability of evolutionarily conserved TCF7L2-binding motif plays a very crucial role in the binding events between transcription factor TCF7L2 and its candidate target genes. We also found that the affinity of TCF7L2 to the promoter region of PIK3R1 alters upon the specific binding sites, which further provides statistical validation to the necessity of TCF7L2-binding motif.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that TCF7L2 is closely bound to the specific binding regions of PIK3R1 promoter and prominently controls the transcription of its encoding protein p85, which further affects the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and insulin secretion.