Genetic Predisposition for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Cameroonian Population: Contribution of rs4731702 (C/T) Polymorphism of Krüppel-Like Factor 14 Gene

Introduction: Kruppel Like Factor 14 (KLF14) gene has recently been identified as a master gene for multiple metabolic phenotypes. The aim of the research study was to investigate the relationship between KLF14 rs4731702 (C/T) gene polymorphism with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in a Cameroonian population. Patients and Methods: This case-control study was conducted in 85 patients with T2DM and 95 healthy normoglycemic controls. All were nonrelated, of Cameroonian origin, and were adults aged 24 years old and above. Demographic, clinical and biological data were collected, and biochemical explorations were performed using enzymatic colorimetric methods. The genotyping of KLF14 rs4731702 (CT) gene polymorphism was done by the Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism. Results: In comparing the Cameroonian population that consisted of 85 patients with T2DM and 95 healthy controls, the minor or risk allele of the rs4731702 (C/T) polymorphism of the KLF14 gene was T (63.53% diabetic patients vs. 26.32% healthy controls, OR = 4.877 and p < 0.0001) while the protective allele was C (36.47% diabetic patients vs. 73.68% healthy controls, OR = 0.205 and p < 0.0001). The susceptibility to T2DM was higher among subjects having the CT and TT genotypes with OR = 2.721 and p = 0.0145) and OR = 3.907 and p < 0.0001) respectively. This gene polymorphism was not preferentially associated with a specific diabetes phenotype. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated for the first time the relationship between the KLF14 rs4731702 (C/T) gene polymorphism and T2DM in this Cameroonian population. This gene polymorphism could be a promising target for personalized medicine through the development of clinical genetic testing.