TCF7L2
Transcription factor 7-like 2
Gene Number: 6934
Location: 10q25.2–q25.3
Key Functions: Blood-glucose regulation, insulin secretion, pancreatic beta-cell function, Wnt signaling
TCF7L2 produces a transcription factor—a protein that helps control the activity of other genes. It participates in Wnt signaling and helps regulate how pancreatic beta cells release insulin in response to glucose. Insulin allows the body to use and store glucose from food [R].
This report examines rs7903146, rs4506565 and rs12255372, three common TCF7L2 variants linked to type 2 diabetes susceptibility. Their main relevance is how effectively the body releases insulin when it is needed.
Explore your genotypes below, or visit PPARG and insulin sensitivity and ADIPOQ and metabolic health to understand other genetic influences on glucose regulation.
SNP ID | Your Genotype | Alt Allele | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
rs7903146 | Analyze your DNA to see your genotype | T | Analyze your DNA to see a personalized result. |
rs4506565 | Analyze your DNA to see your genotype | T | Analyze your DNA to see a personalized result. |
rs12255372 | Analyze your DNA to see your genotype | T | Analyze your DNA to see a personalized result. |
rs7903146 — Insulin Secretion and Type 2 Diabetes
CC – Reference genotype. No copies of the T allele associated with increased type 2 diabetes susceptibility [R].
CT – One T allele. Approximately 41% higher type 2 diabetes odds compared with CC [R].
TT – Two T alleles. Approximately 97% higher type 2 diabetes odds compared with CC. These genotype estimates come from a meta-analysis combining 35 studies for this marker [R].
Functional effect: Research links the T allele to altered gene regulation in pancreatic islets, reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and a weaker insulin response to gut-hormone signals after eating [R].
rs4506565 — A Related Diabetes Susceptibility Marker
AA – Reference genotype. No copies of the T allele associated with increased type 2 diabetes susceptibility [R].
AT – One T allele. Associated with increased type 2 diabetes susceptibility compared with AA [R].
TT – Two T alleles. Associated with a greater increase in type 2 diabetes susceptibility than AT [R].
Functional effect: rs4506565 is a noncoding marker closely linked to rs7903146 in European populations. It largely tracks the same diabetes-associated genetic signal [R].
rs12255372 — Type 2 Diabetes Susceptibility
GG – Reference genotype. No copies of the T allele associated with increased type 2 diabetes susceptibility [R].
GT – One T allele. Approximately 36% higher type 2 diabetes odds compared with GG [R].
TT – Two T alleles. Approximately 89% higher type 2 diabetes odds compared with GG. These estimates come from the same meta-analysis, which included 29 studies for this marker [R].
Functional effect: rs12255372 lies in a noncoding region of TCF7L2. Its T allele has been linked to impaired insulin secretion and progression to diabetes in people with impaired glucose tolerance [R].
How to Read These Results Together
These markers are often inherited together, particularly in people of European ancestry. Their risk estimates should not be multiplied together, because they capture overlapping information about the same gene region. The strength of this overlap varies by ancestry [R, R].
The percentages describe relative odds compared with the reference genotype—not your percentage chance of developing diabetes. Your glucose and HbA1c results, family history and lifestyle provide the wider picture.
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