tRNAleu A3243G Gene Mutation of Mitochondrial DNA as a Risk Factor for Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Bali

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic retinopathy is one of the chronic complications in patients with diabetes mellitus caused by progressive microangiopathy. Various types of risk factors can affect the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy, one of which is mitochondrial DNA mutations in the tRNAleu A3243G gene that is common in T2DM. This study was conducted with the aim to identify whether the mutation of the tRNAleu A3243G gene acts as a risk factor for diabetic retinopathy in T2DM patients in Bali. Material and Methods: This study used a case control design with 35 T2DM patients with diabetic retinopathy and 35 T2DM patients without diabetic retinopathy. The techniques used to identify these mutations are PCR and DNA sequencing. Results: Based on the results obtained, no mutations were found in the tRNAleu A3243G gene in the entire sample. Therefore, the relationship analysis of the two variables cannot be identified. Conclusions: Mutations of the tRNAleu A3243G gene that were not successfully identified in this study can be concluded not play a role as a risk factor for diabetic retinopathy. Keywords: Diabetic Retinopathy, Diabetes Mellitus, tRNAleu Gene Mutation, Mitochondrial DNA.