Background and Objective: Micro RNAs (or miRNAs) control gene regulation and different biological processes in various tissues and therefore play an important role in various diseases. In some cases, either a single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNAs or in complementary sequences in their target mRNAs play significant role in human diseases. In this study, the relationship between rs531564 G>C in mir-124-1 with the susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in the Iranian population was examined.

Methods: In this case-control study, 173 individuals affected with type 2 diabetes and 162 healthy individuals were selected. Extracted DNA from peripheral blood was amplified by a pair of relevant primers and then digested by BsmAI restriction enzymes. The obtained electrophoretic patterns were used for genotyping.

Results: The genotype frequencies of GG, GC and CC for rs531564 in the patient group were 0.92, 0.06 and 0.02 respectively, 0.96, 0.04 and 0.00 in the controls. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups regarding the genotype frequencies, however the allelic frequencies were significantly different between those groups (P<0.05).

Conclusion: There was no genotype difference between diabetes and healthy individuals, but the allelic C is related with type 2 diabetes among Iranian population.