Role of the FOXC2-512C>T polymorphism in type 2 diabetes:: possible association with the dysmetabolic syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Overexpression of the human transcription factor FOXC2 gene ( FOXC2) protects against insulin resistance in mice and a common FOXC2 polymorphism (-512C > T) has been suggested to be associated with insulin resistance in humans. Here, we addressed the potential role for FOXC2 as a candidate gene for type 2 diabetes and associated phenotypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study was performed in 390 type 2 diabetic patients and 307 control subjects. The number of patients was increased to a total of 768 subjects for further study of phenotypic differences relating to the dysmetabolic syndrome relative to genetic variation. The FOXC2 -512C > T polymorphism was genotyped by a restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR assay. RESULTS: FOXC2 -512C > T allele and genotype distribution did not differ between patients with type 2 diabetes and control subjects, but the C/C genotype was associated with increased body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)) (P-a = 0.03) among type 2 diabetic patients. The FOXC2 -512C > T polymorphism was a significant independent predictor of BMI (P = 0.001) in a multiple regression model including age, gender and affection status. We found no significant association with type 2 diabetes-related metabolic parameters but that the C-allele (P = 0.01) and C/C and C/T genotypes (P = 0.03) were significantly over-represented in type 2 diabetic males with a concomitant diagnosis of dysmetabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: We conclude that FOXC2 is associated with obesity and metabolic deterioration but does not contribute to an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.