THE POPULATION ASSOCIATION OF GLUCOKINASE GENE WITH TYPE-2 (NONINSULIN-DEPENDENT) DIABETES-MELLITUS IN CHINESE

The association of gluckinase (GCK) gene with type 2 (non-insulin-depe ndent) diabetes mellitus was investigated in 168 Chinese subjects (85 unrelated type 2 diabetics and 83 non-diabetic controls), The microsat ellite polymorphism marker, GCK-5', was amplified with polymerase chai n reaction. Four alleles were observed in Chinese population with leng th varying from 137bp to 143bp and the most common one being the 139bp allele 3. In comparison with non-diabetics, allele 4 was significantl y increased in type 2 diabetes (10% versus 38, respectively; X(2)=6.77 3, P=0.009); genotype 44 and 4X (X denotes any allele other than allel e 4) were significantly increased in type 2 diabetes (16% versus 6% re spectively; X(2)=6.439, P=0.011), The frequency difference was also sh own in overweight / obese subgroup comparison (X(2)=7.718, P=0.021), b ut not in lean / normal-weight subgroup comparison, No differences of age of onset and frequency of positive family history were observed be tween type 2 diabetic patients with genotype 44 or 4X and those with X X. The risk for type 2 diabetes in Chinese with genotype 44 or 4X was about 3.5 times higher than in Chinese with genotype XX. Therefore, GC K gene was associated with Chinese type 2 diabetes.