Grant: Operating Grant

ATP-sensitive potassium channels are important membrane proteins that regulate a number of cellular processes that control blood sugar levels including insulin secretion. Indeed, drugs that target this channel are used to stimulate insulin secretion in type 2 diabetics. Common genetic variants in this channel are associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (20% or type 2 diabetics have two copies of these genetic variants). However, the mechanisms by which these variants 1) trigger diabetes and 2) alter sensitivity to commonly used drugs has not been determined. It is therefore the aim of this research to further understand how common genetic variants increase the risk for type 2 diabetes and determine if current drug management of this disease can be optimized for these patients with these variants.