Elevation of PTPN1 promoter methylation is a significant risk factor of type 2 diabetes in the Chinese population

The present study aimed to investigate the contribution of DNA methylation of the protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 1 (PTPN1) gene to the susceptibility to type 2 diabetes (T2D). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from 97 patients with T2D and 97 age- and gender-matched controls. DNA methylation of the PTPN1 gene promoter was evaluated by bisulfite pyrosequencing. Independent sample t-tests were used to compare the differences in the PTPN1 promoter and other phenotypes between the patients with T2D and the controls. The results indicated a significant correlation between PTPN1 promoter methylation and the risk of T2D. Additionally, a breakdown analysis by gender revealed that PTPN1 methylation was associated with an increased risk of T2D in females. Furthermore, low-density lipoprotein (r=−0.183, P=0.046) and total cholesterol (r=−0.310, P=0.001) were inversely associated with PTPN1 methylation in females. In conclusion, the results indicate that elevated PTPN1 promoter methylation is a risk factor for T2D in the female Chinese population.