1212-P: Multiomics Assessment of Transcripts and Genes Associated with Gestational Diabetes

Introduction and Objective: Gestational diabetes (GDM) occurs in 2-10% of pregnant persons annually and is associated with increased morbidities for birthing people and infants. GDM etiology is multifactorial, resulting in diverse risk profiles due to interindividual differences among biological and environmental/behavioral factors. The purpose of this study was to explore transcriptomic and genetic risk factors associated with GDM.

Methods: To examine differential gene expression between pregnant persons with and without GDM (n=16), we analyzed a public dataset (GSE9772) using Deseq2 and a false discovery rate (p-adjusted <0.05). Using data from CA1000 (N = 913), we extended these findings by exploring single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) prevalence in the solute carrier family 6-member 6 (SLC6A6) gene using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests in pregnant persons with and without GDM.

Results: A total of 522 transcripts were differentially expressed (p<0.05) in those with GDM compared to those without, but only SLC6A6 remained significant after correction for multiple comparisons (p-adjusted<0.05). SNP prevalence in the SLC6A6 gene indicated six loci that differed in those with GDM compared to those without (rs13058781 (position 14469836), rs4685160 (position 14476887), rs73030137 (position 14477940), rs9683047 (positions 14486407), rs55957528 (position 14488225), rs17039625 (position 14500806)).

Conclusion: The SLC6A6 gene codes for the taurine transporter protein, and taurine deficiency has been associated with GDM, type 2 diabetes, and poor fetal health and delivery outcomes. Our findings suggest an association between taurine biology and GDM. Future studies are needed to advance understanding of the role of taurine biology in GDM and potential implications of genotype-phenotype interactions in GDM risk.