title: The genetic interface between gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although the Western diet and lifestyle has contributed to an increase in the prevalence of gestational diabetes (GDM) worldwide, genetic predisposition also plays an important role. This article reviews the current state of knowledge regarding the genetic interface between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and GDM.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of the current literature on genetics of T2D and GDM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) due to glucokinase mutations may account for as much as 5% of GDM patients. Knowledge of both maternal and fetal genotypes may be useful for individualizing glycemic goals during pregnancy in families harboring these mutations. Of the 38 common T2D susceptibility variants identified to date, several are also associated with GDM. Presumably, these mutations increase GDM risk through decreased ability of β-cells to compensate for the insulin resistance associated with pregnancy. The effect of these alleles on risk for GDM is modest (odds ratios (odds ratio (OR)~1.1-1.6); thus, they individually are poorly predictive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future studies must concentrate on understanding the biological underpinnings of known T2D risk alleles and the discovery of new alleles for both GDM and T2D. These insights may lead to more effective strategies for preventing and treating GDM.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. mkonig1@medicine.umaryland.edu
authors.forename: Manige
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Konig
authors.forename: Alan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Shuldiner
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D005941:Glucokinase / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics; D011247:Pregnancy; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D014157:Transcription Factors; D005941:Glucokinase