A M55V polymorphism in the SUMO4 gene is associated with a reduced prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in patients with Type 1 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the association between a functionally relevant M55V polymorphism in the SUMO4 gene with microvascular diabetic complications in patients with type 1 diabetes.


METHODS
223 patients with type 1 diabetes were studied using polymerase chain reaction and subsequent cleavage by restriction endonucleases for the M55V SUMO4 gene variant.


RESULTS
No effect of the polymorphism on diabetic neuropathy or diabetic nephropathy was found, but heterozygous or homozygous patients for the M55V polymorphism in the SUMO4 gene had a markedly reduced prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (odds ratio 0.37, 95%-confidence interval (CI) [0.32;0.43]; p=0.004). Furthermore, a multiple logistic regression model showed an age and diabetes duration independent effect of the M55V polymorphisms on the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (p=0.03), but not of diabetic neuropathy or nephropathy.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate that the M55V polymorphism in the SUMO4 gene is associated with a reduced risk of diabetic retinopathy in type 1 diabetes. Thus, the results of our study suggest that posttranslational modification of proteins via SUMO4 could contribute to the development of certain diabetic complications.
Rudofsky
G
G
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany. gottfried_rudofsky@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Schlotterer
A
A
Humpert
P M
PM
Tafel
J
J
Morcos
M
M
Nawroth
P P
PP
Bierhaus
A
A
Hamann
A
A
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000235:genetics; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000235:genetics; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D025841:Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
C489647:SUMO4 protein, human; D025841:Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins