Genetic variability in the TNF-alpha promoter is not associated with type II diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
Recent evidence suggests that expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by adipocytes is a molecular mediator of insulin resistance in obesity. We have therefore tested the hypothesis that variations within the regulatory region of the TNF-alpha gene, which might cause increased adipocyte or generalized TNF-alpha synthesis, are associated with NIDDM, a state in which insulin resistance is routinely observed. Neither the previously known variants within the TNF-alpha promoter at position -308 and -238, nor two newly identified polymorphisms at position -376 and -163, were found at a significantly higher frequency in Caucasian NIDDM patients compared to non-diabetic controls. No genetic variants were found in Pima Indians. These data make it unlikely that mutations within regulatory elements of the TNF-alpha gene are associated with an increase in the prevalence of NIDDM.
Hamann
A
A
Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Mantzoros
C
C
Vidal-Puig
A
A
Flier
J S
JS
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015995:Prevalence; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha