Effects of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in K-ATP Channel Genes on Type 2 Diabetes in a Turkish Population

Abstract

Background and Aims. ATP-sensitive potassium (K-ATP) channels of pancreatic beta-cells play a key role in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion mechanism. The Kir6.2 protein, forming the K-ATP channel pore inwardly, and the SUR1 protein that surrounds it forming the outside part of the channel were encoded by ABCC8 and KCNJ11 genes, respectively. Recent studies reported that the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) established in these genes are associated with defects in insulin secretion and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to investigate the allele profiles and the risk alleles of the ABCC8 and KCNJ11 genes and to highlight the associations with the disease in patients in Konya region of Turkey where T2DM is common.