CXCL5 gene polymorphisms.

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         It is now accepted that type II diabetes is, in part, inherited.  Family studies have revealed that first degree relatives of individuals with type II diabetes are about 3 times more likely to develop the disease than individuals without a positive family history of the disease [23].  It has also been shown that concordance rates for monozygotic twins, which have ranged from 60-90%, are significantly higher than those for dizygotic twins.  It is therefore clear that type II diabetes has a strong genetic component. Candidate genes identified sofar include the nuclear receptor PPARg,  the sulfonylurea receptor ABCC8, the potassium channel Kir6.2, or the intracellular calcium-dependent cystein protease calpain 10. Taking into account the relative importance of CXCL5 in the development of insulin resistance we can hypothesize that this chemokine could also be a type II diabetes susceptibility gene. Indeed several polymorphisms in the CXCL5 gene have been described. Interestingly, a -156G to C polymorphism in the promoter of the gene has been associated to increased expression and plasma concentration of CXCL5. It cannot be excluded that this, or other activating polymorphisms are overrepresented in type II diabetes and obese subjects.