Screening the RFX6-DNA binding domain for potential genetic variants in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: The regulatory factor X6 (RFX6), a member of regulatory factor X family, is known to play a key role in the development and differentiation of pancreatic beta cells as well as insulin production and secretion. However, the potential role of RFX6 in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is still unclear. AIM: Recent studies have indicated that RFX6 binding to DNA could be disrupted in diabetes. Therefore, in this study we investigated whether genetic mutations are present in the DNA binding domain of RFX6 gene that could abrogate its function in T2D. METHODS: A cohort of T2D patients was enrolled in this study, and the gene encoding the DNA binding domain of RFX6 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and then analysed by direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS: The DNA sequence analysis revealed the absence of any exonic mutation. However, we have identified a new heterozygous single nucleotide polymorphism (IVS6+31 C>T) in the intronic region of DNA binding domain gene that is present in 9.2% and 8.5% of diabetic and control people, respectively (P = 0.97). CONCLUSION: We report the absence of any significant genetic variant that could affect the function of RFX6-DNA binding domain in T2D.