Simple tandem repeat DNA polymorphism in the human glycogen synthase gene is associated with NIDDM in Japanese subjects

We investigated the possible association between alleles of a simple tandem repeat DNA polymorphism in the human glycogen synthase gene and non-obese non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) in Japanese subjects. Nine alleles (-4G, -3G, -2G, -1G, 0G, 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G) were identified in the study group of 164 patients with NIDDM and 115 non-diabetic subjects. The overall frequency distribution of the glycogen synthase gene alleles was significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.0316). The 2G allele was found more frequently in patients with NIDDM than in non-diabetic subjects (17.7% vs 8.7%, p = 0.0016). These results suggest that the 2G allele could be a genetic marker of NIDDM in Japanese subjects.