Association of a F479L variant in the cytosolic phospholipase A2 gene (PLA2G4A) with decreased glucose turnover and oxidation rates in Pima Indians

Phospholipase A2, Group IVA (PLA2G4A) belongs to the class of cytosolic calcium-dependent phospholipases (cPLA2s) that preferentially cleave arachidonic acid (AA) from membrane glycerophospholipids. AA and AA metabolites play key roles in glucose disposal and insulin secretion. PLA2G4A is located on Chromosome 1q, where a number of groups have reported linkage to type 2 diabetes mellitus. We have screened the PLA2G4A gene and identified a C-->G variant, which predicts a phenylalanine to leucine substitution. In logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, and birth year, we found a trend toward association between this SNP and diabetes OR=1.53 (0.97-2.40); p=0.06]. Individuals with the variant genotype had lower mean basal endogenous glucose output (1.8+/-0.03 vs. 1.9+/-0.01 mg/kgEMBS/min; p=0.04) and lower mean basal glucose oxidation (1.2+/-0.11 vs. 1.4+/-0.03 mg/kgEMBS/min; p=0.005) compared to individuals with the wild-type genotype. During a low dose insulin infusion, non-diabetic individuals with the variant genotype had a lower mean glucose oxidation (1.9+/-0.11 vs. 2.0+/-0.03 mg/kgEMBS/min; p=0.04) and total glucose turnover rate (2.5+/-0.22 vs. 2.6+/-0.06 mg/kgEMBS/min; p=0.01) compared to subjects with the wild-type genotype. In addition, under basal conditions, individuals with the variant genotype had a higher mean lipid oxidation rate compared to individuals with the wild-type genotype (0.77+/-0.25 vs. 0.67+/-0.23 mg/kgEMBS/min; p=0.02). These results provide evidence supporting a role for the eicosanoid biosynthesis pathway in type 2 diabetes mellitus pathophysiology.