Yesterday was World Diabetes Day.
I almost forgot … which may have something to do with rs6741949.
From the original article:
“… rs6741949 in a DPP4 intron on chromosome 2q24, where the G allele was associated with smaller hippocampal volume (β=−52.8 mm3, p=2.9×10-7).”
The association with DPP4 sheds light on a fascinating connection between diabetes and hippocampal (memory) function.
“Further, DPP4 is an intrinsic membrane glycoprotein and a widely expressed serine exopeptidase. It is also an adipokine over-expressed in visceral adipose tissue of obese persons and those with diabetes, conditions associated with smaller hippocampal volume. A novel class of antidiabetic medications (sitagliptin, and related incretin compounds) inhibits DPP4 to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance through increased levels of glucagon like proteins-1 and 2 (GLP-1, -2). Interestingly, endogenous incretin GLP-1 is also heavily expressed in some hippocampal neurons and has neuroprotective properties.”
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note: 23andMe does not cover rs6741949, but they do cover 2 flanking SNPs that are in pretty good linkage disequilibrium with rs6741949 … so, um, I’m trying to figure out how I might impute/infer my genotype here … hmmm.
rs3788979 (bp162900889) CC D’=0.81 strand + forward
rs6741949 (bp162910223) A?G? strand + forward
rs4664446 (bp162910403) AG D’=0.86 strand + forward
Genes 2 Brains 2 Mind 2 Me 