Correlation between hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α and diabetes

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α(HNF-4α) is a transcription factor expressed in many tissues including liver,intestine and pancreas,and it belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily.HNF-4α has been suggested to have a role in regulating the expression of genes involved in the development,differentiation and normal function of liver and pancreatic beta cells,and the maintenance of glucose homeostasis.HNF-4α and other HNFs constitute a complex transcription factor network and participate in tissue differentiation and energy metabolism.Mutations of HNF-4α gene cause maturity-onset diabetes of the young(MODY).Previous studies have reported single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) within the hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α gene may be associated with type 2 diabetes.To further investigate the genetic pathology of HNF-4α on type 2 diabetes is very important and helpful for prevention and treatment of diabetes.