Gene TCF7L2
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Also known as
TCF4, TCF-4, transcription factor 7 like 2Overview
TCF7L2 (Transcription Factor 7 Like 2) encodes a transcription factor involved in the Wnt signaling pathway that plays crucial roles in pancreatic beta cell development and function. TCF7L2 regulates genes involved in glucose metabolism, insulin secretion, and incretin hormone signaling.Variants in TCF7L2 are the strongest genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes identified to date. The rs7903146 T allele increases diabetes risk by approximately 35-45% per copy and is very common, with over 30% of Europeans carrying at least one risk allele. The mechanism appears to involve impaired insulin secretion and reduced incretin response.
Understanding your TCF7L2 genetic status provides important information about diabetes risk. Individuals with risk variants may benefit from lifestyle interventions focusing on maintaining healthy body weight and physical activity, which have been shown to reduce diabetes risk even in genetically susceptible individuals.