Detailed Physiologic Characterization Reveals Diverse Mechanisms for Novel Genetic Loci Regulating Glucose and Insulin Metabolism in Humans
Authors: Ingelsson Erik , Langenberg Claudia , Hivert Marie-France , Prokopenko Inga , Lyssenko Valeriya , Dupuis Josée , Mägi Reedik , Sharp Stephen , Jackson Anne U. , Assimes Themistocles L. , Shrader Peter , Knowles Joshua W. , Zethelius Björn , Abbasi Fahim A. , Bergman Richard N. , Bergmann Antje , Berne Christian , Boehnke Michael , Bonnycastle Lori L. , Bornstein Stefan R. , Buchanan Thomas A. , Bumpstead Suzannah J. , Böttcher Yvonne , Chines Peter , Collins Francis S. , Cooper Cyrus C. , Dennison Elaine M. , Erdos Michael R. , Ferrannini Ele , Fox Caroline S. , Graessler Jürgen , Hao Ke , Isomaa Bo , Jameson Karen A. , Kovacs Peter , Kuusisto Johanna , Laakso Markku , Ladenvall Claes , Mohlke Karen L. , Morken Mario A. , Narisu Narisu , Nathan David M. , Pascoe Laura , Payne Felicity , Petrie John R. , Sayer Avan A. , Schwarz Peter E. H. , Scott Laura J. , Stringham Heather M. , Stumvoll Michael , Swift Amy J. , Syvänen Ann-Christine , Tuomi Tiinamaija , Tuomilehto Jaakko , Tönjes Anke , Valle Timo T. , Williams Gordon H. , Lind Lars , Barroso Inês , Quertermous Thomas , Walker Mark , Wareham Nicholas J. , Meigs James B. , McCarthy Mark I. , Groop Leif , Watanabe Richard M. , Florez Jose C. ,   on behalf of the MAGIC investigators
Published: February 2010

OBJECTIVE

Recent genome-wide association studies have revealed loci associated with glucose and insulin-related traits. We aimed to characterize 19 such loci using detailed measures of insulin processing, secretion, and sensitivity to help elucidate their role in regulation of glucose control, insulin secretion and/or action.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We investigated associations of loci identified by the Meta-Analyses of Glucose and Insulin-related traits Consortium (MAGIC) with circulating proinsulin, measures of insulin secretion and sensitivity from oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs), euglycemic clamps, insulin suppression tests, or frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests in nondiabetic humans (n = 29,084).

RESULTS

The glucose-raising allele in MADD was associated with abnormal insulin processing (a dramatic effect on higher proinsulin levels, but no association with insulinogenic index) at extremely persuasive levels of statistical significance (P = 2.1 × 10−71). Defects in insulin processing and insulin secretion were seen in glucose-raising allele carriers at TCF7L2, SCL30A8, GIPR, and C2CD4B. Abnormalities in early insulin secretion were suggested in glucose-raising allele carriers at MTNR1B, GCK, FADS1, DGKB, and PROX1 (lower insulinogenic index; no association with proinsulin or insulin sensitivity). Two loci previously associated with fasting insulin (GCKR and IGF1) were associated with OGTT-derived insulin sensitivity indices in a consistent direction.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic loci identified through their effect on hyperglycemia and/or hyperinsulinemia demonstrate considerable heterogeneity in associations with measures of insulin processing, secretion, and sensitivity. Our findings emphasize the importance of detailed physiological characterization of such loci for improved understanding of pathways associated with alterations in glucose homeostasis and eventually type 2 diabetes.