Genetic polymorphisms of PCSK2 are associated with glucose homeostasis and progression to type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 2 (PCSK2) is a prohormone processing enzyme involved in insulin and glucagon biosynthesis. We previously found the genetic polymorphism of PCSK2 on chromosome 20 was responsible for the linkage peak of several glucose homeostasis parameters. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between genetic variants of PCSK2 and glucose homeostasis parameters and incident diabetes.

Validation of type 2 diabetes risk variants identified by genome-wide association studies in Han Chinese population: a replication study and meta-analysis.

Background: Several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) involving European populations have successfully identified risk genetic variants associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the effects conferred by these variants in Han Chinese population have not yet been fully elucidated.

Methods: We analyzed the effects of 24 risk genetic variants with reported associations from European GWAS in 3,040 Han Chinese subjects in Taiwan (including 1,520 T2DM cases and 1,520 controls).

The associations of LPIN1 gene expression in adipose tissue with metabolic phenotypes in the Chinese population.

The LPIN1 gene, encoding lipin-1 protein, plays critical roles in adipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism. This study aimed to analyze the association of LPIN1 mRNA levels in human adipose tissue with metabolic phenotypes. We also examined the association of LPIN1 genetic variation with type 2 diabetes and related metabolic phenotypes in the Chinese population.

Genetic variants of TCF7L2 are associated with insulin resistance and related metabolic phenotypes in Taiwanese adolescents and Caucasian young adults.

Objectives: The effect of TCF7L2 rs7903146 on glucose homeostasis is considered primarily due to impaired insulin secretion in European populations. Because we previously demonstrated that TCF7L2 rs290487 near the 3' end of TCF7L2 was significantly associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Taiwanese subjects, we aimed to investigate potential mechanisms underlying the associations of rs290487 with T2D.

Methods: Eighteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were tested for association with glucose/insulin homeostasis as well as other quantitative metabolic phenotypes using the quantitative transmission disequilibrium test in 525 Taiwanese adolescent twin-pairs and siblings.

Common variation in the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene confers risk of obesity and modulates BMI in the Chinese population.

Objective: Genetic variants in the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene have been linked with obesity and type 2 diabetes in European populations. We aimed to test the role of FTO genetic variants in obesity and type 2 diabetes in the Chinese population.

Research Design And Methods: We genotyped 19 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning from the 3' end of the neighboring RPGRIP1L gene to the 5' flanking region of the FTO gene.

Association study of the genetic polymorphisms of the transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene and type 2 diabetes in the Chinese population.

Objective: Genetic polymorphisms of the transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene is one of the few validated genetic variants with large effects on the risk of type 2 diabetes in the populations of European ancestry. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of the TCF7L2 polymorphisms in a Han Chinese population.

Research Design And Methods: We genotyped 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the TCF7L2 gene in 1,520 unrelated subjects from a Han Chinese population in Taiwan.