Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a monogenic form of diabetes mellitus characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance, early age of onset, and pancreatic beta cell dysfunction. Heterozygous mutations in at least seven genes can cause MODY. In the present study we investigated the relative prevalence of GCK (glucokinase) and HNF1? (hepatocyte nuclear factor 1?) mutations, the more frequent causes of MODY, in 13 South-Brazilian families with multiple cases of diabetes consistent with MODY. Heterozygous variants in GCK and HNF1? […]

The peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors (PPARs) are transcription factors belonging to the family of nuclear receptors that regulate glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism and inflammation. Three proteins, encoded by distinct genes, have been identified: PPARa, PPARb and PPARg, which control gene expression by binding to specific response elements (PPREs) in the promoters. Recent studies suggest that activation of PPARg might decrease atherosclerosis progression and increase the insulin sensitivity, might be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of a diverse array of […]