Work

DNA methylation of candidate genes in peripheral blood from patients with type 2 diabetes or the metabolic syndrome

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing and several studies suggested an involvement of DNA methylation in the development of these metabolic diseases. This study was designed to investigate if differential DNA methylation in blood can function as a biomarker for T2D and/or MetS. METHODS: Pyrosequencing analyses were performed for the candidate genes KCNJ11, PPARγ, PDK4, KCNQ1, SCD1, PDX1, FTO and PEG3 in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) from 25 patients diagnosed with only T2D, 9 patients diagnosed with T2D and MetS and 11 control subjects without any metabolic disorders. RESULTS: No significant differences in gene-specific methylation between patients and controls were observed, although a trend towards significance was observed for PEG3. Differential methylation was observed between the groups in 4 out of the 42 single CpG loci located in the promoters regions of the genes FTO, KCNJ11, PPARγ and PDK4. A trend towards a positive correlation was observed for PEG3 methylation with HDL cholesterol levels. DISCUSSION: Altered levels of DNA methylation in PBLs of specific loci might serve as a biomarker for T2D or MetS, although further investigation is required.

Source: PLoS ONE

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180955

Authors: Sanne D. van Otterdijk, Alexandra M. Binder, Katarzyna Szarc vel Szic, Julia Schwald, Karin B. Michels

Institutions: German Cancer Research Center, University Medical Center Freiburg, Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung, Harvard University, Brigham and Women's Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Epigenetics and DNA Methylation

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,382