FOXN3 hyperglycemic risk allele and insulin sensitivity in humans

Objective The rs8004664 variation within the FOXN3 gene is significantly and independently associated with fasting blood glucose in humans. We have previously shown that the hyperglycemia risk allele (A) increases FOXN3 expression in primary human hepatocytes; over-expression of human FOXN3 in zebrafish liver increases fasting blood glucose; and heterozygous deletion of the zebrafish ortholog foxn3 decreases fasting blood glucose. Paralleling...