Role of telomeres and associated maintenance genes in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A review.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), a multifactorial complex disorder, is emerging as a major cause of morbidity, mortality and socio-economic burden across the world. Despite huge efforts in understanding genetics of T2DM, only ∼10% of the genetic factors have been identified so far. Telomere attrition, a natural phenomenon has recently emerged in understanding the pathophysiology of T2DM. It has been indicated that Telomeres and associated pathways might be the critical components in the disease etiology, though the mechanism(s) involved are not clear. Recent Genome Wide (GWAS) and Candidate Gene Case-Control Association Studies have also indicated an association of Telomere and associated pathways related genes with T2DM. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the telomere maintenance genes: TERT, TERC, TNKS, CSNK2A2, TEP1, ACD, TRF1 and TRF2, have shown strong association with telomere attrition in T2DM and its pathophysiology, in these studies. However, the assessment has been made within limited ethnicities (Caucasians, Han Chinese cohort and Punjabi Sikhs from South Asia), warranting the study of such associations in different ethnic groups. Here, we propose the possible mechanisms, in the light of existing knowledge, to understand the association of T2DM with telomeres and associated pathways.
Human Genetics Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Katra, J&K 182320, India.
Itty
I
Sethi
Human Genetics Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Katra, J&K 182320, India.
G R
GR
Bhat
Human Genetics Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Katra, J&K 182320, India.
Vinod
V
Singh
Human Genetics Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Katra, J&K 182320, India.
Rakesh
R
Kumar
Department of Human Genetics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab 143005, India.
A J S
AJ
Bhanwer
National Centre of Applied Human Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India.
Rameshwar N K
RN
Bamezai
Human Genetics Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Katra, J&K 182320, India. Electronic address: swarkar.sharma@smvdu.ac.in.
Swarkar
S
Sharma
Human Genetics Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Katra, J&K 182320, India. Electronic address: ekta.rai@smvdu.ac.in.
Ekta
E
Rai
D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D006801:Humans; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D016615:Telomere / Q000502:physiology*
Telomere attrition; Telomere maintenance genes; Telomeres; Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)