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Association Between CDKAL1, HHEX, CDKN2A/2B and IGF2BP2 Gene Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Type 2 Diabetes in Uttarakhand, India

Authors Verma AK, Goyal Y, Bhatt D, Beg MMA, Dev K, Alsahli MA, Rahmani AH

Received 2 October 2020

Accepted for publication 2 December 2020

Published 6 January 2021 Volume 2021:14 Pages 23—36

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S284998

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2

Editor who approved publication: Prof. Dr. Antonio Brunetti



Amit K Verma,1,* Yamini Goyal,1,* Deepti Bhatt,1,* Mirza Masroor Ali Beg,2,* Kapil Dev,1 Mohammed A Alsahli,3 Arshad Husain Rahmani3

1Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India; 2Department of Biochemistry, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India; 3Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Amit K Verma
Department of Biotechnology, Srinivasa Ramanujan Block, Mujeeb Bagh, Jamia Millia Islamia, Lab 413, Medical Biotechnology Lab, 4 th Floor, New Delhi 110025, India
Tel +91-9027777719
Email [email protected]

Introduction: Current study aimed to find the association of genes polymorphism of CDKAL1, HHEX, CDKN2A/2B, and IGF2BP2 with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in the population of Uttarakhand.
Research Design and Methods: Overall 469 persons comprising 369 recently diagnosed T2DM cases and 100 healthy control were enrolled in the present study. The polymorphisms were analyzed through the PCR-RFLP technique.
Results: For the rs10440833 variant (CDKAL1), CC genotype’s frequency was significantly high among T2DM subjects than controls and increase the T2DM risk (OR: 4.46, 95% CI: 2.22– 8.99, p < 0.0001). The c allele was significantly found to increase the T2DM risk (OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.54– 3.14, p < 0.001). In the rs1111875 variant (HHEX), the difference of genotype frequencies among T2DM cases and control was statistically non-significant (p-0.138). We did not observe significant differences in allelic frequencies among T2DM cases and control (p-0.444). In the case of rs10811661 variant (CDKN2A/2B), frequency of both TC (OR: 3.16, 95% CI: 1.84– 5.42, p < 0.0001) and TT (OR: 5.84, 95% CI: 1.75– 19.45, p − 0.004) genotype were significantly higher in T2DM cases in comparison with control and significantly associated with higher T2DM risk. Compared to the C allele, a significant increase in T2DM risk was documented with the T allele (OR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.55– 3.92, p < 0.001). For rs4402960 variant (IGF2BP2), TT genotype contributed to increased T2DM risk (OR: 4.25, 95% CI: 2.02– 8.93, p − 0.0001). T allele’s frequency was significantly high in T2DM cases in comparison with healthy control. Except WHR, HDL-C, exercise, household chores, standing work more than 3 hours, and family history, significant differences were found between T2DM cases and healthy individuals in all other parameters.
Conclusion: Our study concluded a significant association of CDKAL1, CDKN2A/2B, and IGF2BP2 polymorphism with T2DM in the Uttarakhand population. For HHEX, the genotype and allelic frequencies difference between T2DM cases and control were statistically non-significant. However, a significant association of HHEX gene polymorphism with T2DM was observed only under the dominant model.

Keywords: type 2 diabetes, CDKAL1, CDKN2A/2B, IGF2BP2, HHEX, RFLP

Introduction

Diabetes prevalence has been continuously increasing day by day across the globe. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) report, around 463 million had diabetes in 2019 and it will rise to 578 million by 2030 and 700 million by 2045. About 90% of all diabetes cases belong to only type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and about 77 million people were living with T2DM in India in 2019.1 It is a chronic metabolic disorder and affected by genetic as well as environmental factors.2 Hyperglycaemia is characteristic of T2DM and it is related to the incapability of the human body to fully respond to insulin but over the period, production of insulin decreases.3,4 T2DM is mostly diagnosed in middle-aged people but cases among adolescents, children have increased recently due to increasing levels of physical inactivity, obesity, and unhealthy diet.5 Excessive thirst, tiredness, frequent urination, blurred vision, slow healing wounds, numbness in hand and feet, persistent fungal infections in the skin are symptoms of T2DM.1 In some T2DM subjects, this disease is first diagnosed when chronic hyperglycaemic complications develop like the potential loss of vision, renal infection or failure, foot ulcer.6–8 The etiology of T2DM is not fully known but there is a strong association with increasing age and obesity as well as with overweight and family history.

Several important risk factors involved in the development of T2DM are ethnicity or race, sedentary lifestyle, an unhealthy diet with high consumption of sugary drinks and low consumption of fiber-rich diet, prediabetes, smoking, depression, and medical conditions linked with insulin resistance like dyslipidemia, hypertension or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).8 T2DM is characterized by hyperglycemia and chronic hyperglycemia can lead to several complications and is linked with long-term failure, dysfunction, and damage of several organs, mainly nerves, and blood vessels, kidneys, and eyes.9

Earlier, candidate gene analysis and linkage studies were the only techniques used to recognize genes which are involved in T2DM pathogenesis, but these techniques recognized only a small number of genes ie, Transcription Factor 7 Like 2 (TCF7L2), Calpain-10 (CAPN10), Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARG) and Potassium Inwardly Rectifying Channel Subfamily J Member 11 (KCNJ11). Advancement in genomic data and technology have helped the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in recognizing the susceptible genes of T2DM.10 Numerous GWAS confirmed the association of susceptible genes with T2DM in or near CDK5 Regulatory Subunit Associated Protein 1-Like 1 (CDKAL1), PPARG, Solute Carrier Family 30 Member 8 (SLC30A8), TCF7L2, Melatonin Receptor 1b (MTNR1B), Potassium Voltage-Gated Channel, KQT-Like Subfamily, Member 1 (KCNQ1), Wolframin ER Transmembrane Glycoprotein (WFS1), Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1 Homeobox B (HNF1B), Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A/2B), Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2 mRNA Binding Protein 2 (IGF2BP2), and Juxtaposed with Another Zinc Finger Protein 1 (JAZF1) among Asian and European population.10–12 Chiefari et al studied the high-mobility group A1 (HMGA1) gene variants in T2DM patients and controls in 3 populations of white European ancestry and found the association of functional HMGA1 variants in people with T2DM of European ancestry.13

Many biochemical parameters and sedentary life-style exhibited are associated with T2DM risk.14 Metabolic syndrome is a critical risk sign for stroke, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and it is the incidence of obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia together.15 Excessive alcohol and smoking amongst adults are very problematic due to the elevated risk of CVD associated with smoking, alcohol, and T2DM.16 T2DM subjects generally exhibit decreased physical action and a more sedentary lifestyle specifically by spending the most time sitting, by viewing television and mobile phone screen and this causes inequity in biochemical parameters for example cholesterol, Body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, triglycerides.17 These biochemical parameters are modifiable risk factors for T2DM.

CDKAL1 or cyclin-dependent kinase 5 regulatory subunit associated protein 1 gene is present at 6th chromosome at p22.3 location and CDK5 regulatory subunit associated protein 1 like 1 encoded by this gene. This plays an important part in beta-cell dysfunction and susceptibility to T2DM.18 HHEX or haematopoietically expressed homeobox gene encodes a protein that influences the Wnt pathway of signaling that is important for development as well as the growth of cells and it also regulates beta-cell function and maturation by activating HNF (hepatocyte nuclear factor) - 1a.19 CDKN2A/2B or cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A/2B gene present at 9th chromosome at position p21. Association of rs10811661 SNP in CDKN2A/2B with T2DM has been confirmed by various GWAS in different populations.20–22 Kong et al reported that the CDKN2A/2B gene may influence the risk of T2DM by reducing beta-cell proliferation and islet expression.23 IGF2BP2 or Insulin-like growth factor-2 mRNA binding protein-2 gene, highly manifested in islets of the pancreas and it belongs to the IGF-2 family of mRNA binding proteins and it plays a vital part in normal development and growth of embryo.24 Furthermore, IGF2BP2 has been reported to be linked with reduced secretion of insulin and it plays a considerable part in the pathogenesis of T2DM.25 Even with the coherent linkage in Europeans, the impacts of variants of these genes in different ethnic groups of the Indian population is not much clear. Due to the difference in ethnicity, lifestyle, and linkage disequilibrium (genetic background), it is essential to recognize the role of these genes in Indian ethnic groups. Our study focused on following four Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): CDKAL1 (rs10440833), HHEX (rs1111875), CDKN2A/2B (rs10811661) and IGF2BP2 (rs4402960). The purpose of the current study was to find the association of these four genes with T2DM and their association with clinicopathological parameters in the population of Uttarakhand, India.

Materials and Methods

Study Subjects

Overall, 469 persons comprising 369 recently diagnosed T2DM cases and 100 healthy controls were enrolled in the present study. T2DM subjects and healthy individuals were chosen on basis of inclusion and exclusion conditions. The present study was permitted by IEC, JMI, Delhi, India and this study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Patient included in the present study were examined and the collection of samples were completed only after getting notified permission from involved people (T2DM cases/healthy control). Three milliliters of blood samples were withdrawn from all the study subjects and collected in plain vials. Fasting as well as postprandial samples collected in fluoride vials from all the 200 T2DM subjects and 1 mL blood in EDTA vials for Hba1c. All the criteria were followed, such as fasting blood glucose [glucose level ≥126 mg/dL] and postprandial glucose [2-hour blood glucose ≥200 mg/dL] were monitored for diagnosis of T2DM disease. Healthy control blood samples were also checked for the fasting blood glucose, postprandial glucose, and Hba1c level to confirm the free of T2DM.

All clinicopathological parameters like body mass index (BMI), age, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), postprandial glucose (PPG), systolic BP (mmHg), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), diastolic BP (mmHg), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), cholesterol, triglycerides, and Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were taken care as per standard criteria. A total of 2 mL of Blood samples were collected in EDTA coated vacutainer of T2DM subjects and healthy persons. The non-diabetic (healthy persons) will be taken as a control in our study. (The samples were collected in the hospital by the expert medical professional according to guidelines provided by ICMR/GCP).

Genotyping

Isolation of DNA was done by the phenol-chloroform method from collected samples of blood of T2DM cases as well as healthy controls. Amplified DNA products were analyzed on 2% agarose gel and seen under UV-transilluminator. PCR was done using 7µL ddH2O, 1 µL of each reverse and forward primer (total 2 µL), 1 µL isolated DNA, and 10µL of master mix. PCR was done with initial denaturation temperature for 3 min. at 94 °C, followed by thirty-five cycles of denaturation for 30 sec. at 94 °C, annealing (different temperature for each SNP) at 30 sec. and extension for 40 sec. at 72 °C, then the final extension for 5 min at 72 °C.

Amplified DNA to determine the genotype of CDKAL1 rs10440833 (C/A) by forward primer, 5ʹ - AATTAATATTCCCCCCTGTATTTTAGT - 3ʹ and reverse primer, 5ʹ – GCTCATTGCTACATAATAACTGTAGAT – 3ʹ using thermal cycler with annealing at 58°C; HHEX rs1111875 (G/A) by forward primer, 5ʹ - GGAAAAAATTTGCACT GCCGTCT - 3ʹ and reverse primer, 5ʹ - TGAGGCTGTAGATGAGATGACG-3ʹ using thermal cycler with annealing at 60°C; CDKN2A/2B rs10811661 (T/C) by forward primer, 5ʹ- GAAGGATCCTTCTC - 3ʹ and reverse primer, 5ʹ- AGGATCGTAGTCTC - 3ʹ using thermal cycler with annealing at 61°C and IGF2BP2 rs4402960 (T/G) by forward primer, 5ʹ – AGACCAGCCTTGCAGCAATGTAGTG - 3ʹ and reverse primer, 5ʹ - CTAAAGCACTGAGAGAAACAGCCCT - 3ʹ using thermal cycle with annealing at 59 °C.

Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism for each SNP was done by digesting 6 μL PCR product with 2.5 units of restriction enzyme (NEB) and 1.5 μL ddH2O overnight at 37 °C. The restricted products were separated on 3% agarose gel electrophoresis. Amplified DNA of CDKAL1 was digested by AciI and A allele and C allele were visualized as 157 bp fragment and 121+36 bp bands, respectively. The amplified products of HHEX were digested by XbaI and G allele and A allele were visualized as 161 bp fragment and 111+50 bp bands, respectively. The amplified products of CDKN2A/2B were digested by BspHI and C allele and T allele were visualized as 232 bp fragment and 164+68 bp bands, respectively. The amplified products of IGF2BP2 were digested by MseI and G allele and T allele were visualized as 500 bp fragment and 294+206 bp bands, respectively.

Statistical Analyses

Frequencies of genotypes among T2DM subjects and healthy controls were found by applying the Chi-square test. Allelic frequencies were examined through the Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium equation. The associations between HHEX (rs1111875), CDKAL1 (rs10440833), CDKN2A/2B (rs10811661) and IGF2BP2 (rs4402960) genotype and T2DM risk were estimated by calculating OR with 95% CI. Bonferroni test was applied to correction for multiple testing. The comparative assessment of clinicopathological parameters performed through a t-test for means equality. P values < 0.05 considered significant. The relationship between genotype and investigated parameters was done by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) - One-Way ANOVA and Kruskal Wallis test.

Results

Patient’s Clinical Characteristics

The clinicopathological and various other characteristics of the 369 T2DM subjects and 100 healthy controls are listed in Tables 1 and 2. T2DM subjects had a greater mean age compared to controls (40.2 ± 9.5 vs 35.3 ± 8.0 years). Significant differences were found among T2DM subjects and healthy control in FPI, BMI, FPG, HbA1c, systolic BP, T - cholesterol, PPG, diastolic BP, LDL-C, triglycerides, urination, weight loss, blur vision, fatigue, appetite, slow wound healing, alcohol consumption, non-veg, smoking, consumption of fast food, consumption of sugary drinks, excessive calorie intake, normal walk, brisk walk 20 min, prolonged sitting 3hrs work and leisure sitting tv mobile gross time 3hrs whereas, no significant difference was found between T2DM cases and controls with respect to WHR, HDL-C, exercise, household chores, standing work gross time 3hrs and family history.

Table 1 Clinicopathological Characteristics of T2DM Subjects and Healthy Controls

Table 2 Characteristics of T2DM Subjects and Controls

Association of CDKAL1, HHEX, CDKN2A/2B and IGF2BP2 Gene Polymorphisms with T2DM

The genotype and allele frequencies of CDKAL1, HHEX, CDKN2A/2B, IGF2BP2 polymorphism in T2DM cases and control are summarized in Table 3. For rs10440833 variant (CDKAL1), 35.5%, 26.6%, 37.9% and 46%, 43%, 11% were the frequencies of genotypes AA, AC and CC in T2DM cases and healthy control, respectively. Through reference to the AA genotype, the frequency of CC genotype was significantly higher among T2DM subjects in comparison with control and increase the T2DM risk (OR: 4.46, 95% CI: 2.22–8.99, p < 0.0001). The statistical analysis of observed genotypic frequencies for CDKAL1 (rs10440833) showed a significant association (p < 0.0001). C allele frequency was significantly higher among T2DM cases in comparison with controls (51.22% vs 32.5%, respectively). Compared to the A allele, the C allele was significantly found to increase the risk of T2DM (OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.54–3.14, p < 0.001). A significant relation was observed among CDKAL1 polymorphism and T2DM risk under the recessive model but not under the dominant model.

Table 3 Genotype, Allele Distribution, and Association Analysis of CDKAL1, HHEX, CDKN2A/2B, and IGF2BP2 Gene Polymorphisms with T2DM Under Different Genetic Models

In the case of rs1111875 variant (HHEX), the frequencies of genotypes GG, AG, and AA among T2DM subjects and healthy controls were 51.22%, 31.44%, and 17.34%, and 44%, 42%, and 14%, respectively. The genotype frequencies difference between T2DM cases and control were statistically non-significant (p-0.138). The A allele frequencies were 33.06% and 35% in T2DM cases and controls, respectively. We did not observe significant differences in allelic frequencies among T2DM cases and healthy control (p - 0.444). We observed a significant association of HHEX gene polymorphism with T2DM only under the dominant model. However, no such association was observed under the recessive model.

For rs10811661 variant (CDKN2A/2B), the distribution of CC, TC and TT genotypes were 48.8%, 40.1%, and 11.1% in T2DM cases and 77%, 20%, and 3% in controls, respectively. Regarding CC genotype, frequency of both TC and TT genotype was significantly high in cases than control and significantly associated with higher T2DM risk (OR: 3.16, 95% CI: 1.84–5.42, p < 0.0001 for TC; and OR: 5.84, 95% CI: 1.75–19.45, p - 0.004 for TT, respectively). The statistical analysis of observed genotypic frequencies for CDKN2A/2B (rs10811661) showed a significant association (p < 0.0001). Similarly, the frequency of the CDKN2A/2B T allele was significantly high in T2DM cases than in control (31.17% vs 13%). Compared to the C allele, a significant increase in T2DM risk was documented with the T allele (OR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.55–3.92, p < 0.001). We detected a significant association of the CDKN2A/2B gene (C/T) polymorphism with T2DM under the dominant model but no significant association under the recessive model.

For rs4402960 variant (IGF2BP2), 43.9%, 29%, 27.1% and 62%, 29%, 9% were the frequencies of genotypes GG, GT and TT among T2DM cases and healthy controls respectively. When the GG genotype was set as the reference, the TT genotype contributed to increased T2DM risk (OR: 4.25, 95% CI: 2.02–8.93, p - 0.0001). The statistical analysis of observed genotypic frequencies for IGF2BP2 (rs4402960) showed a significant association (p - 0.0002). T allele’s frequency was significantly high in T2DM cases in comparison with healthy control (41.6% vs 23.5%). Regarding allelic frequencies of the T allele as compared to the G allele, we found a significant association with increased T2DM risk (OR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.70–3.68, p < 0.001). Likewise, a significant relationship between IGF2BP2 gene G > T polymorphism and T2DM risk was observed under the recessive and dominant model.

Relationship of CDKAL1, HHEX, CDKN2A/2B and IGF2BP2 Polymorphisms with Clinical Characteristics of T2DM Cases and Healthy Controls

Association of CDKAL1 genotypes and investigated clinical characteristics with T2DM are shown in Table 4. Subjects carrying CC genotype had significantly higher PPG, systolic BP, WHR, T - Cholesterol, FPG, diastolic BP, HbA1c, LDL-C, and triglycerides compared to controls, whereas did not find a significant difference with respect to age, BMI, FPI, and HDL-C. Subjects with AC and AA genotype had significantly higher age, BMI, FPG, PPG, HbA1c, FPI, systolic BP, T-Cholesterol, diastolic BP, LDL-C, triglycerides than controls. However, there was no significant difference between WHR and HDL-C.

Table 4 Clinical Characteristics Based on CDKAL1 Genotypes in T2DM Subjects and Controls

Association between HHEX genotypes and investigated clinical characteristics are illustrated in Table 5. Subjects possessing GG, AG, and AA genotypes had significantly higher BMI, FPI, FPG, PPG, systolic BP, T - Cholesterol, HbA1c, diastolic BP, LDL-C, and triglycerides than controls. However, there was no significant difference among T2DM cases and healthy controls with genotypes GG, AG, and AA in WHR and HDL-C. Higher age was observed among T2DM cases with GG and AG genotypes in comparison with healthy individuals but not in subjects with AA genotypes.

Table 5 Clinical Characteristics Based on HHEX Genotypes in T2DM Subjects and Controls

Association between CDKN2A/2B genotypes and investigated clinical characteristics are presented in Table 6. With respect to the TT genotype, the levels of FPG, PPG, HbA1c, systolic BP, T-Cholesterol, diastolic BP, LDL-C, and triglycerides were significantly higher in T2DM cases in comparison with healthy individuals, whereas insignificant age difference, BMI, WHR, FPI, and HDL-C. Compared with controls, T2DM subjects with TC and CC genotypes had significantly higher age, PPG, HbA1c, FPG, FPI, systolic BP, T - Cholesterol, BMI, diastolic BP, LDL-C, and triglycerides. However, we found no significant difference in WHR and HDL-C.

Table 6 Clinical Characteristics Based on CDKN2A/2B Genotypes in T2DM Subjects and Controls

Association between IGF2BP2 genotypes and investigated clinical characteristics are shown in Table 7. With respect to TT genotype PPG, HbA1c, systolic BP, FPG, T-Cholesterol, diastolic BP, LDL-C, and triglycerides had significantly high values inpatient in comparison with controls, whereas did not find a significant difference among the values of age, BMI, WHR, FPI, and HDL-C. Except for WHR and HDL-C, all the other clinical parameters were significantly higher in T2DM people with GT and GG genotype in comparison with controls.

Table 7 Clinical Characteristics Based on IGF2BP2 Genotypes in T2DM Subjects and Controls

Effect of CDKAL1, HHEX, CDKN2A/2B, and IGF2BP2 polymorphism on HOMA-β among T2DM subjects are shown in Table 8. HOMA-β were compared with CDKAL1, HHEX, CDKN2A/2B, and IGF2BP2 genotypes, we observed no such statistically significant difference in HOMA-β with respect to CDKAL1, HHEX, CDKN2A/2B, and IGF2BP2 genotypes. Higher HOMA-β were observed with heterozygous and mutant genotypes of CDKAL1, HHEX, CDKN2A/2B compared to wild type genotypes while no such difference was observed with IGF2BP2 genotypes.

Table 8 Comparison of HOMA-β with Genotypes of CDKAL1, HHEX, CDKN2A/2B, and IGF2BP2 in T2DM Subjects

Discussion

At present, over 150 different variants have been recognized by numerous studies, which are associated with T2DM.2,26 Environmental factors are linked with the onset of T2DM which involves a sedentary or inactive lifestyle, stress, and obesity. These risk factors do not influence similarly to everybody.27 We examined several clinicopathological parameters and a significant difference was found between T2DM cases and controls in BMI, FPG, HbA1c, PPG, FPI, systolic BP, Total-Cholesterol, diastolic BP, LDL - C, triglycerides, urination, fatigue, slow wound healing, appetite, alcohol consumption, weight loss, non-veg, smoking, consumption of fast food, blur vision, consumption of sugary drinks, excessive calorie intake, normal walk, brisk walk 20 minutes, prolonged sitting more than 3 hours work and leisure sitting tv mobile more than 3 hours whereas, no significant difference was found between T2DM cases and controls with respect to WHR, HDL - C, exercise, household chores, standing work more than 3 hours and family history.

Smoking, alcohol, consumption of sugary drinks, physical exercise, and family history are factors for the risk of T2DM. Several kinds of research have stated the negative impacts of smoking on T2DM. Smoking also enhances diabetes risk and intensifies the T2DM complications.28,29 In contrast, smoking cessation is linked with an increase in weight. Consumption of alcohol greatly influences the metabolism of lipids and can also affect the resistance of insulin and T2DM risk.30 Consumption of sugary drinks was related with reduced concentration of HDL - C and bigger WHR (P < 0.001, P = 0.04, respectively).31 A study confirmed the association of increasing consumption of sweet drinks and obesity and it is an important factor linked with the risk of T2DM.32 Exercise to fitness mortality association was observed in body compositions level. Among normal-weight males with T2DM, mortality risk in the 1st quartile of fitness was 6.6 (2.8–15.0), in the 2nd quartile was 3.2 (1.4–7.0) and in the 3rd quartile was 2.2 (1.1–4.6) in comparison with the 4th quartile (P < 0.0001).33 People with diabetes family history is a risk factor of T2DM and it is also linked with multiple metabolic disorders.34 However, in our analysis, we did not observe any relation of family history with T2DM. Many researchers suggested that biochemical parameters are highly associated with T2DM such as LDL-C and triglycerides but low level of HDL - C.35 High consumption of sweet drinks containing a large amount of sugar increase the probability of being obese, especially in children.36 Hypertension is also related to T2DM risk.37

In the current research, we investigated the association of CDKAL1, HHEX, CDKN2A/2B, and IGF2BP2 gene polymorphism to T2DM risk among the Uttarakhand population. CDKAL1 gene plays an important part in beta cell dysfunction and susceptibility to T2DM.18 Association of SNP rs10440833 in CDKAL1 with T2DM was found among Chinese ethnic groups.38,39 In our analysis, we observed CDKAL1 is significantly associated with T2DM risk. C allele’s frequency was significantly high in T2DM cases in comparison with healthy individuals. The c allele was significantly found to increase the T2DM risk. Under the recessive model, CDKAL1 polymorphism exhibited significantly associated with T2DM risk. A similar finding was reported among the Han population of China.18 T2DM subjects with CC genotype had significantly higher WHR, FPG, PPG, HbA1c, systolic BP, T - Cholesterol, diastolic BP, LDL - C, and triglycerides compared to controls in the case of CDKAL1 gene. Previous studies found that CDKAL1 catalyzes the methyl group which can cause proinsulin misfolding and inhibiting the CDK5-p35 complex and hence, change the function of beta-cell and production of insulin.40 This indicates that CDKAL1 influence the insulin production and beta-cell function.

HHEX gene regulated beta-cell function and maturation by activating hepatocyte nuclear factor - 1a.19 Association of HHEX SNP rs1111875 and T2DM was found significant in many Chinese studies.41,42 In the case of HHEX rs1111875, we observe that the genotype frequencies difference between T2DM cases and control were statistically non-significant. We did not find any significant difference in allelic frequency among T2DM cases and healthy controls. Similar results were reported by other studies among Indians.43,44 Our findings were inconsistent with the previous study by Bhowmick et al, among North-East Indian ethnic groups. This may be because of different ethnicity among different populations.19 We observed a significant association of HHEX gene polymorphism with T2DM only under the dominant model.

Association of rs10811661 SNP in CDKN2A/2B with T2DM has been confirmed by various GWAS in different populations.20–22 Our findings indicated a significant association of CDKN2A/2B rs10811661 gene polymorphism with T2DM. The frequency of both TC and TT genotype was higher among cases than control and associated with high T2DM risk. The frequency of CDKN2A/2B (rs10811661) T allele was significantly high in T2DM cases than in healthy individuals. Compared to the C allele, a significant increase in T2DM risk was documented with the T allele. Similar results were reported in Asian and European populations.45–47 We found a significant association of CDKN2A/2B gene polymorphism with T2DM under the dominant model but did not find any significant association under the recessive model. Furthermore, with respect to TT genotype, the levels of FPG, PPG, HbA1c, systolic BP, T - Cholesterol, diastolic BP, LDL - C, and triglycerides were significantly higher among T2DM cases than those in healthy individuals, whereas an insignificant difference was found in age, BMI, WHR, FPI and HDL - C. Compared with controls, T2DM subjects with TC and CC genotypes had significantly higher age, PPG, FPI, triglyceride, systolic BP, HbA1c, T - Cholesterol, FPG, diastolic BP, LDL - C and BMI. WHR as well as HDL - C did not exhibit a significant association with T2DM risk in our analysis. In contrast, a study reported that WHR was significantly linked with CDKN2A/2B (rs10811661) risk allele among T2DM cases in the Chinese Han population with p = 0.032.10 CDKN2A/2B gene may influence the risk of T2DM by decreasing the expression and proliferation of beta-cell.23

IGF2BP2 gene has been recognized to be linked with reduced secretion of insulin and it has a significant role in T2DM pathogenesis.25 GWAS found that genetic polymorphism in IGF2BP2 is linked with T2DM in various populations.48 We observed a significant association of IGF2BP2 genetic variants with T2DM risk. We found that T allele frequency was higher in T2DM cases than in healthy individuals. We also observed that the TT genotype contributed to increased T2DM risk. Except for WHR and HDL-C, all the other clinical parameters were significantly higher in T2DM people with GT and GG genotype in comparison with controls. In addition, a significant relationship between IGF2BP2 rs4402960 G > T gene polymorphism and T2DM risk was found under the recessive and dominant model. Our findings were in accordance with a study conducted by Lyssenko et al, showing the association of recessive mutant genotype (TT) of IGF2BP2 polymorphism with increased T2DM risk.49 Similar findings were also observed in a meta-analysis among Indians, East Asians, and Caucasians.50 The limitation of the small sample size should be kept in mind. The validity of the inferences is worth confirming in a wider population study.

Advantage versus Limitations of Study

The study will help in unmasking the role of genes and biochemical parameters associated with type 2 diabetes. This will help in prevention and management of diabetes related complications. The main limitation of study is the unawareness and lack of information of disease. Late diagnosis of disease due to low literacy rate most of the people are not aware of disease and it primary symptoms.

Conclusion

Our study concluded that CDKAL1, CDKN2A/2B, and IGF2BP2 gene polymorphisms were significantly associated with increased risk of T2DM in the Uttarakhand population. In the case of HHEX, the genotype and allelic frequencies difference between T2DM cases and control were statistically non-significant. However, a significant association of HHEX gene polymorphism with T2DM was observed under the dominant model. The current study will be useful in the recognition of genetic risk factors linked to T2DM. More researches are required to further verify the association of these genes in the Indian population.

Highlights

  • CDKAL1, CDKN2A/2B, and IGF2BP2 polymorphisms are associated with T2DM risk in the Uttarakhand population, India.
  • HHEX polymorphism was statistically non-significant between T2DM cases and control.
  • The only dominant model of HHEX polymorphism shows a significant association with T2DM.
  • Clinicopathological parameters like BMI, FPG, HbA1c, systolic BP increase T2DM risk among the population of Uttarakhand.

Abbreviations

T2D, type 2 diabetes; BMI, body mass index; IDF, International Diabetes Federation; PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome; HMGA1, high-mobility group A1; TCF7L2, Transcription Factor 7 Like 2; CAPN10, Calpain-10; PPARG, Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma; KCNJ11, Potassium Inwardly Rectifying Channel Subfamily J Member 11; GWAS, Genome Wide Association Study; CDKAL1, CDK5 Regulatory Subunit Associated Protein 1-Like 1; HHEX, Haematopoietically Expressed Homeobox; CDKN2A/2B, Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 2A; IGF2BP2, Insulin Like Growth Factor 2 mRNA Binding Protein 2; SLC30A8, Solute Carrier Family 30 Member 8; MTNR1B, Melatonin Receptor 1b; KCNQ1, Potassium Voltage-Gated Channel, KQT-Like Subfamily, Member 1; WFS1, Wolframin ER Transmembrane Glycoprotein; HNF1B, Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1 Homeobox B; JAZF1, Juxtaposed with Another Zinc Finger Protein 1; CVD, cardiovascular Diseases; SNP, single nucleotide polymorphism; ANOVA, analysis of variance; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; RFLP, restriction fragment length polymorphism; FPG, fasting plasma glucose; FPI, fasting plasma insulin; PPG, postprandial glucose; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; Hba1c, haemoglobin A1c; BP, blood pressure; OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; IEC, Institutional Ethics Committee; EDTA, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; ICMR, Indian Council Medical Research; GCP, Good Clinical Practice.

Data and Material Availability Statement

We confirm that the data used during the research will not be shared with anybody/broadcasted in any public domain. The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

The study has been conducted only after the due clearance and approval from the Ethics committee of Jamia Millia Islamia (vide Proposal No. 12/9/176/JMI/IEC/2018). As part of mandatory standardised ethical norm, a written informed consent was taken from the person before inclusion in the research work. The study conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained in writing from all participants prior to the study.

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India, and study subjects for their cooperation.

Funding

Indian council of medical research (ICMR), New Delhi provided funding for the study. (2017-3016/GENOMICS-BMS).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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