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Timothy M Frayling

Publications and source records attributed to Timothy M Frayling.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Association studies of insulin receptor substrate 1 gene (IRS1) variants in type 2 diabetes samples enriched for family history and early age of onset.

The gene encoding insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1) represents a strong biological candidate for a contributory role in type 2 diabetes susceptibility. Indeed, functional studies have implicated the G971R variant, and a recent meta-analysis of 27 association studies suggested that carriage of 971R was associated with a 25% increase in disease risk. However, this association has not been evaluated in large samples. The present study genotyped the P512A and G971R IRS1 variants in 971 U.K. type 2 diabetic subjects ascertained for strong family history and/or early onset, as well as 1,257 control subjects matched by ethnicity. There was no evidence for association with type 2 diabetes for either variant. (For example, the odds ratio [OR] for carriage of 971R was 1.11 [95% CI 0.86-1.44, P = 0.44]) An updated meta-analysis (31 studies: 5,104 case and 7,418 control subjects) remained significant for the G971R association (P = 0.025), albeit with a diminished OR (1.15 [95% CI 1.02-1.31]). Additional studies of IRS1 variation will be required to obtain a robust estimate of the overall contribution of IRS1 variation to type 2 diabetes susceptibility, but the current study suggests that previous studies have overestimated the magnitude of this effect.

Age of Onset↗

Evidence from a large U.K. family collection that genes influencing age of onset of type 2 diabetes map to chromosome 12p and to the MODY3/NIDDM2 locus on 12q24.

Additional information on genetic susceptibility effects relevant to type 2 diabetes pathogenesis can be extracted from existing genome scans by extending examination to related phenotypes such as age at disease onset. In this study, we report the reanalysis of data from 573 U.K. sibships ascertained for multiplex type 2 diabetes, using age at onset (assessed by the proxy measure of age at diagnosis) as the phenotype of interest. Genome-wide evidence for linkage to age at diagnosis was evaluated using both variance components and Haseman-Elston (HECOM) regression approaches, with extensive simulations to derive empirical significance values. There was broad agreement across analyses with six regions of interest (logarithm of odds [LOD] >/==" BORDER="0">1.18) identified on chromosomes 1qter, 4p15-4q12, 5p15, 12p13-12q13, 12q24, and 14q12-14q21. The strongest empirically "suggestive" evidence for linkage comes from regions on chromosome 12. The first region (12p13-12q13), peaking at D12S310 (variance components LOD [LOD(VC)] = 2.08, empirical pointwise P = 0.0007; HECOM LOD [LOD(HECOM)] = 2.58, P = 0.0010) seems to be novel. The second (12q24) peaking between D12S324 and D12S1659 (LOD(VC) = 1.87, P = 0.0016; LOD(HECOM) = 1.93, P = 0.0027) overlaps a region showing substantial prior evidence for diabetes linkage. These data provide additional evidence that genes mapping to these chromosomal regions are involved in the susceptibility to, and/or development of, type 2 diabetes.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Genetic variants in Apolipoprotein AV alter triglyceride concentrations in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Triglyceride concentrations are raised in pregnancy and are considered a key fetal fuel. Several gene variants are known to alter triglyceride concentrations, including those in the Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL), and most recently, the Apolipoprotein AV (ApoAV) gene. However, less is known about how variants in these genes alter triglyceride concentrations in pregnancy or affect fetal growth. We aimed to determine the effect of the recently identified ApoAV gene on triglycerides in pregnancy and fetal growth. We assessed the role of two ApoAV haplotypes, defined by the C and W alleles of the -1131T>C and S19W polymorphisms, in 483 pregnant women and their offspring from the Exeter Family Study of Childhood Health. RESULTS: The -1131T>C and S19W variants have rare allele frequencies of 6.7% and 4.9% and are present in 13.4% and 9.7% of subjects respectively. In carriers of the -1131C and 19W alleles triglyceride concentrations were raised by 11.0% (1.98 mmol/ l(1.92 - 2.04) to 2.20 mmol/l (2.01 - 2.42), p = 0.035; and 16.2% (1.97 mmol/l (1.91 - 2.03) to 2.29 mmol/l (2.12 - 2.48), p < 0.001 respectively. There is nominally significant evidence that the -1131T>C variant is having an effect on maternal height (164.9 cm (164.3 - 165.5) to 167.0 cm (165.2 - 168.8), p = 0.029). There was no evidence that ApoAV genotype alters any other anthropometric measurements or biochemistries such as High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) or Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C). There is nominally significant evidence that the presence of a maternal -1131C variant alters fetal birth length (50.2 cm (50.0 - 50.4) to 50.9 cm (50.3 - 51.4), p = 0.022), and fetal birth crown-rump length (34.0 cm (33.8 - 34.1) to 34.5 cm (34.1 - 35.0), p = 0.023). There is no evidence that ApoAV genotype alters fetal birth weight or other fetal growth measurements. CONCLUSION: In conclusion variation in the ApoAV gene raises triglyceride concentrations in pregnancy, as well as normolipaemic states and there is preliminary evidence that it alters fetal growth parameters.

Journal Article↗

In silico searching of human and mouse genome data identifies known and unknown HNF1 binding sites upstream of beta-cell genes.

HNF1-alpha is a transcription factor present in beta-cells. Mutations in the HNF1-alpha gene cause maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), but the exact mechanism is not known. Several studies have highlighted genes down-regulated in beta-cells lacking this gene, but it is not clear if these are directly regulated by HNF1-alpha. To better understand this, we used human and mouse genome data to examine 29 genes expressed in the beta-cell. Using an in silico approach (with software available at www.BindGene.org) we examined 2kb upstream of each gene for possible HNF1 binding sequences. In five genes we also examined 100kb upstream of each gene, but only the portions strongly conserved between humans and mice. We identified nine putative HNF1 binding sites upstream of seven genes (p<0.1 and good alignment between species or p<0.05). Six of these nine sites had some experimental corroboratory evidence and included the recently identified sites 6 and 45kb upstream of HNF4-alpha. Three novel sites were identified. These were 92bp upstream of SLC3A1, 52bp upstream of PCBD (DCOH), and 42202bp upstream of TCF2(HNF1-beta). In conclusion, our computer search identified some known HNF1 sites, and suggested three novel sites indicating these genes are very likely to be directly activated by HNF1. This should help in designing experiments to discover the mechanisms of beta-cell dysfunction due to HNF1 disruption.

Animals↗

Variants in the aromatase gene and on the Y-chromosome are not associated with adult height or insulin resistance in a UK population.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of polymorphisms in the aromatase gene (CYP19) and on the Y-chromosome, with adult height and insulin resistance in a UK Caucasian population, after a recent report indicated these variants explain 4 cm of adult male height variation. PATIENTS AND DESIGN: We performed an association study using 917 healthy UK Caucasian subjects from the Exeter Family Study, an ongoing consecutive-birth cohort. Our study had > 85% (95% for the CYP19 variant; 85% for the Y variant) power to detect the association suggested by the previous study. MEASUREMENTS: Subjects'CYP19 genotype were determined using tetra-primer PCR, and the Y-chromosome variant genotype was identified using a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Trained research nurses were responsible for measurement of height. Fasting insulin concentration was determined by an immunoenzymometric assay. RESULTS: We did not find any evidence for an effect of the CYP19 polymorphism or Y-RFLP on adult height (P > 0.83 for both variants). In addition, there was no evidence for an effect on insulin resistance in a subset of 416 subjects (P > 0.46). CONCLUSION: We have not confirmed the initial observation in a larger replication cohort. Our results highlight the importance of replicating initial results from genetic association studies.

Adult↗

Large-scale association studies of variants in genes encoding the pancreatic beta-cell KATP channel subunits Kir6.2 (KCNJ11) and SUR1 (ABCC8) confirm that the KCNJ11 E23K variant is associated with type 2 diabetes.

The genes ABCC8 and KCNJ11, which encode the subunits sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) and inwardly rectifying potassium channel (Kir6.2) of the beta-cell ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel, control insulin secretion. Common polymorphisms in these genes (ABCC8 exon 16-3t/c, exon 18 T/C, KCNJ11 E23K) have been variably associated with type 2 diabetes, but no large ( approximately 2,000 subjects) case-control studies have been performed. We evaluated the role of these three variants by studying 2,486 U.K. subjects: 854 with type 2 diabetes, 1,182 population control subjects, and 150 parent-offspring type 2 diabetic trios. The E23K allele was associated with diabetes in the case-control study (odds ratio [OR] 1.18 [95% CI 1.04-1.34], P = 0.01) but did not show familial association with diabetes. Neither the exon 16 nor the exon 18 ABCC8 variants were associated with diabetes (1.04 [0.91-1.18], P = 0.57; 0.93 [0.71-1.23], P = 0.63, respectively). Meta-analysis of all case-control data showed that the E23K allele was associated with type 2 diabetes (K allele OR 1.23 [1.12-1.36], P = 0.000015; KK genotype 1.65 [1.34-2.02], P = 0.000002); but the ABCC8 variants were not associated. Our results confirm that E23K increases risk of type 2 diabetes and show that large-scale association studies are important for the identification of diabetes susceptibility alleles.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

A genome-wide scan in families with maturity-onset diabetes of the young: evidence for further genetic heterogeneity.

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a heterogeneous single gene disorder characterized by non-insulin-dependent diabetes, an early onset and autosomal dominant inheritance. Mutations in six genes have been shown to cause MODY. Approximately 15-20% of families fitting MODY criteria do not have mutations in any of the known genes. These families provide a rich resource for the identification of new MODY genes. This will potentially enable further dissection of clinical heterogeneity and bring new insights into mechanisms of beta-cell dysfunction. To facilitate the identification of novel MODY loci, we combined the results from three genome-wide scans on a total of 23 families fitting MODY criteria. We used both a strict parametric model of inheritance with heterogeneity and a model-free analysis. We did not identify any single novel locus but provided putative evidence for linkage to chromosomes 6 (nonparametric linkage [NPL]score 2.12 at 71 cM) and 10 (NPL score 1.88 at 169-175 cM), and to chromosomes 3 (heterogeneity LOD [HLOD] score 1.27 at 124 cM) and 5 (HLOD score 1.22 at 175 cM) in 14 more strictly defined families. Our results provide evidence for further heterogeneity in MODY.

Adolescent↗

Genetic variation in the small heterodimer partner gene and young-onset type 2 diabetes, obesity, and birth weight in U.K. subjects.

The orphan receptor small heterodimer partner (SHP, NR0B2) modulates the transcription activity of the MODY1 gene HNF4a. Mutations in SHP were found in 7% of Japanese obese young-onset type 2 diabetic patients and were associated with moderate obesity and increased birth weight. We investigated SHP in 1927 U.K. subjects, examining relationships with type 2 diabetes, obesity, and birth weight. Sequencing of the coding region of SHP in 122 obese, young-onset type 2 diabetic patients detected the polymorphism G171A. The polymorphism was not associated with diabetes in case control or familial association studies. The A allele (frequency 0.07) was not associated with obesity in type 2 diabetic subjects (n = 348), their parents (n = 272), or young nondiabetic adults (n = 925). However, the rare (<1%) AA homozygotes had a raised BMI in each cohort; this was significant when all cohorts were combined (Z score = 0.67 AA vs. -0.05 G/x, P = 0.02). There was no association with corrected birth weight in 382 normal babies, but the only AA baby was 4,069 g. Our study suggests that genetic variation in SHP is unlikely to be common in the predisposition to diabetes, obesity, or increased birth weight in U.K. Caucasians.

Adolescent↗

Association and haplotype analysis of the insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) gene, a strong positional and biological candidate for type 2 diabetes susceptibility.

The gene for insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) represents a strong positional and biological candidate for type 2 diabetes susceptibility. IDE maps to chromosome 10q23.3, a region linked to diabetes in several populations; the rat homolog has been directly implicated in diabetes susceptibility; and known functions of IDE support an important role in glucose homeostasis. We sought evidence for association between IDE variation and diabetes by mutation screening, defining local haplotype structure, and genotyping variants delineating common haplotypic diversity. An initial case-control analysis (628 diabetic probands from multiplex sibships and 604 control subjects) found no haplotypic associations, although one variant (IDE2, -179T-->C) showed modest association with diabetes (odds ratio [OR]1.25, P = 0.03). Linkage partitioning analyses failed to support this association, but provided borderline evidence for a different variant (IDE10, IVS20-405A-->G) (P = 0.06). Neither variant was associated with diabetes when replication was sought in 377 early onset diabetic subjects and 825 control subjects, though combined analysis of all typed cohorts indicated a nominally significant effect at IDE2 (OR 1.21 [1.04-1.40], P = 0.013). In the absence of convincing support for this association from linkage partitioning or analyses of continuous measures of glycemia, we conclude that analysis of over 2,400 samples provides no compelling evidence that variation in IDE contributes to diabetes susceptibility in humans.

Blood Glucose↗

Young-onset type 2 diabetes families are the major contributors to genetic loci in the Diabetes UK Warren 2 genome scan and identify putative novel loci on chromosomes 8q21, 21q22, and 22q11.

A young onset of type 2 diabetes is likely to result, in part, from greater genetic susceptibility. Young-onset families may therefore represent a group in which genes are more easily detectable by linkage. To test this hypothesis, we conducted age at diagnosis (AAD) stratified linkage analyses in the Diabetes UK Warren 2 sibpairs. In the previously published unstratified analysis, evidence for linkage (logarithm of odds [LOD] >1.18) was found at seven loci. The LOD scores at these seven loci were higher in the 245 families with AAD <55 years (L55) compared with the 328 families with AAD >55 years (G55). Five of these seven loci (1q24-25, 5q13, 8p21-22, 8q24.2, and 10q23.2) had LOD scores >1.18 in the L55 subset but only one (8p21-22) did in the G55 subset. Two additional loci (8q21.13 and 21q22.2) showed evidence for linkage in the L55 subset alone. Another locus (22q11) showed evidence for linkage in a subset of families with AAD <45 years. Using a locus-counting approach, the L55 subset had significantly more loci (P approximately 0.01) than expected under the null hypothesis of no linkage across the LOD score range 0.59-3.0. In contrast, the G55 subset contained no more susceptibility loci than that expected by chance. In conclusion, young-onset families provide both disproportionate evidence for linkage to known loci and evidence for additional novel loci. Our data confirm our hypothesis that families segregating young-onset type 2 diabetes represent a more powerful resource for defining susceptibility genes by linkage.

Age of Onset↗

Combining genome and mouse knockout expression data to highlight binding sites for the transcription factor HNF1alpha.

The identification of regulatory elements in silico is an important method for inferring function from sequence data, but it is uncertain which methods are best. We used a novel combination of expression data from a TCF1 knockout mouse (TCF1 codes for the transcription factor HNF1a), and human and mouse genome sequences, to search 2kb upstream of 28 genes downregulated in TCF1 null mice compared to wild type mice. We wrote software (http://www.BindGene.org) to search for and assign p-values to potential binding sites. This identified 8 genes as candidates for being directly regulated by HNF1a: LIPC, CRP, F13B, PRODH2, HSD17B2, SCL7A9, SLC16A7, PAH. There was evidence for conservation between human and mouse for all these regions identified as containing putative binding sites. For three of the genes identified there was experimental evidence for an HNF1a binding site. For comparison we also examined 25 genes up-regulated in TCF1 null mice; only one gene was selected and there was little evidence for conservation of this putative binding site between human and mouse. This result was consistent with HNF1a being a gene transcription activator. Another 6 up-regulated genes had unexpectedly high p-values, suggesting that possibly HNF1a sites have been suppressed from these genes. In conclusion, gene expression data from transgenic animals lacking a transcription factor can be used to identify DNA binding sites for that factor.

Animals↗

The role of the HNF4alpha enhancer in type 2 diabetes.

The genetic causes of type 2 diabetes are not well understood. The disease has been linked to chromosome 20q12-q13.1 a region which harbors the transcription factor HNF4alpha. Mutations in the coding region of HNF4alpha cause maturity onset diabetes of the young, an autosomal dominant form of diabetes, but do not account for the linkage to this region. An enhancer element has recently been characterized 6 kb 5' of the HNF4alpha P1 promoter containing binding sites for the transcription factors HNF1, HNF4, HNF3, and C/EBP, which are overlapped by glucocorticoid consensus sites. We hypothesized that variation in the enhancer element disrupts HNF4alpha expression in the liver and increases susceptibility to type 2 diabetes. We screened for variants of the enhancer element in 39 white UK young onset diabetic subjects, giving >95% power to identify variants with minor allele frequencies of >5%. No variants of the enhancer element were found in this population. We conclude that variation in the HNF4alpha enhancer element is not a common cause of susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.

Adult↗

Variation within the type 2 diabetes susceptibility gene calpain-10 and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Variation within the calpain-10 gene (CAPN10) has been proposed to account for linkage to type 2 diabetes on chromosome 2q in Mexican-Americans, and associations with diabetes have been reported in several other populations. Given the epidemiological, physiological, and genetic overlap between type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), CAPN10 represents a strong candidate gene for a role in PCOS susceptibility. Using both family based and case-control association resources (146 parent-offspring trios; 185 additional PCOS cases; 525 control subjects, all of European ancestry), we sought association between CAPN10 variation and PCOS, focusing on four single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants (SNP-44, SNP-43; SNP-19; SNP-63). On single-locus transmission disequilibrium analysis in the 146 trios, there was nominal evidence (P = 0.03) of excess transmission of the more common allele at SNP-63. This association was not, however, replicated in the case-control analysis. No other significant associations were observed at the single-locus or haplotype level in either the transmission-disequilibrium or case-control analyses. The relative risk for the high-risk diabetes susceptibility 112/121 genotype (SNPs 43-19-63) was 0.84 (95% confidence intervals, 0.40-1.71). No associations were seen with intermediate traits of relevance to diabetes and PCOS pathogenesis. We have found no evidence from these analyses that CAPN10 gene variation influences susceptibility to PCOS.

Adult↗

Variation in the calpain-10 gene affects blood glucose levels in the British population.

Variation in the calpain-10 gene (CAPN10) has been shown to be associated with type 2 diabetes in Mexican-Americans and in at least three Northern European populations. Studies in nondiabetic Pima Indians showed that one of the at-risk DNA polymorphisms, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-43, in CAPN10 was associated with insulin resistance, and individuals with the G/G-genotype had significantly higher fasting plasma glucose and 2-h insulin concentrations after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). We have examined the effect of variation in CAPN10 on plasma glucose and insulin levels in a group of 285 nondiabetic British subjects after a 75-g OGTT. The results showed that subjects with G/G genotype at SNP-43 had higher 2-h plasma glucose levels than the combined G/A + A/A group (P = 0.05). We also examined the SNP-43, -19, and -63 haplotype combination 112/121, which is associated with an approximately threefold increased risk of diabetes. Subjects with the 112/121 haplotype combination (n = 29) had increased fasting (P = 0.004) and 2-h plasma glucose levels (P = 0.003) compared with the rest of the study population after correction for age, sex, and BMI. The 112/121 haplotype combination was also associated with a marked decrease in the insulin secretory response, adjusted for the level of insulin resistance (P = 0.002). We conclude that genetic variation in the CAPN10 gene influences blood glucose levels in nondiabetic British subjects and that this is due, at least in part, to the effects of calpain-10 on the early insulin secretory response.

Adult↗

Association studies of genetic variation in the WFS1 gene and type 2 diabetes in U.K. populations.

Mutations in the WFS1 gene cause beta-cell death, resulting in a monogenic form of diabetes known as Wolfram syndrome. The role of variation in WFS1 in type 2 diabetes susceptibility is not known. We sequenced the WFS1 gene in 29 type 2 diabetic probands and identified 12 coding variants. We used 152 parent-offspring trios to look for familial association; the R allele at residue 456 (P = 0.04) and the H allele at residue 611 (P = 0.05) as well as the R456-H611 haplotype (P = 0.032) were overtransmitted to affected offspring from heterozygous parents. In a further cohort of 327 type 2 diabetic subjects and 357 normoglycemic control subjects, the H611 allele and the R456-H611 haplotype were present in more type 2 diabetic subjects than control subjects (one-tailed P = 0.06 and P = 0.023, respectively). In a combined analysis, the H611 allele was present in 60% of all diabetes chromosomes and 55% of all control chromosomes (odds ratio [OR] 1.24 [95% CI 1.03-1.48], P = 0.02), and the R456-H611 haplotype was significantly more frequent in type 2 diabetic subjects than in control subjects (60 vs. 54%, OR 1.29 [95% CI 1.08-1.54], P = 0.0053). Our results provide the first evidence that variation in the WFS1 gene may influence susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.

Adult↗

A putative functional polymorphism in the IGF-I gene: association studies with type 2 diabetes, adult height, glucose tolerance, and fetal growth in U.K. populations.

IGF-I has a critical role in growth and metabolism. A microsatellite polymorphism 1 kb upstream to the IGF-I gene has recently been associated with several adult phenotypes. In a large Dutch cohort, the absence of the commonest allele (Z) was associated with reduced serum IGF-I levels, reduced height, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and myocardial infarction. This result has not been replicated, and the role of this polymorphism in these traits in U.K. subjects is not known. We sought further evidence for the involvement of this variant in type 2 diabetes using a case-control study and IGF-I and diabetes-related traits in a population cohort of 640 U.K. individuals aged 25 years. Absence of the common allele was not associated with type 2 diabetes (odds ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.47-1.04 for X/X versus Z/Z genotype, chi(2) test for trend across genotypes, P = 0.018). In the population cohort, the common allele (Z) was associated with decreased IGF-I levels (P = 0.01), contrary to the Dutch study, but not with adult height (P = 0.23), glucose tolerance (P = 0.84), oral glucose tolerance test-derived values of beta-cell function (P = 0.90), or insulin resistance (P = 0.66). There was no association with measures of fetal growth, including birth weight (P = 0.17). Our results do not support the previous associations and suggest that the promoter microsatellite is unlikely to be functionally important.

Adult↗

Intrauterine hyperglycemia is associated with an earlier diagnosis of diabetes in HNF-1alpha gene mutation carriers.

OBJECTIVE: In animals, experimentally induced maternal hyperglycemia during pregnancy results in hyperglycemic offspring. Similarly, Pima Indian offspring with mothers who are diabetic at the time of pregnancy have increased risk of early-onset diabetes. We hypothesized that exposure to hyperglycemia in utero would decrease the age at diagnosis of diabetes in patients with maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to a mutation in the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1alpha (HNF-1alpha) gene. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed the affect of maternal diabetes on age at diagnosis of diabetes in 150 HNF-1alpha gene mutation carriers from 55 families. RESULTS: Age at diagnosis in HNF-1alpha mutation carriers was younger when the mother was diagnosed before pregnancy compared with when the mother was diagnosed after pregnancy (15.5 +/- 5.4 vs. 27.5 +/- 13.1 years, P < 0.0001). This is unlikely to represent a generalized familial decrease in age at diagnosis due to a more severe mutation, because no difference was seen in age of the offspring at diagnosis of diabetes when the father was diagnosed at a young age, and a similar trend was seen when only the single common mutation, P291fsinsC, was analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that maternal hyperglycemia during pregnancy probably increases the penetrance of HNF-1alpha mutations. The potential role of exposure to hyperglycemia in utero in a monogenic diabetic subgroup warrants prospective study.

Adult↗