Expression of G-protein Coupled Receptor 120 Receptor in Adipose Tissue of German Diabetes Center Cohort Subjects

G-protein coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) is a G-protein-coupled receptor whose endogenous ligands have been identified as long-chain fatty acids. Recently, it has been shown that GPR120 expression in human adipose tissue is higher in obese than in lean individuals. Interestingly, a GPR120 deficient mouse model presents an unfavorable phenotype when fed a high-fat diet with obesity, glucose intolerance and fatty liver, characteristics also found in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Moreover, in obese subjects, a single nucleotide polymorphism (R270H) has been identified that inhibits GPR120 signaling activity. The investigators now want to investigate if GPR120 expression in adipose tissue may be altered in patients with T2D compared to non-diabetic subjects and might contribute to diabetes-associated metabolic changes. Additionally, the investigators want to assess the frequency of the R270H mutant in T2D.