Many studies have been conducted on the genetic and epigenetic etiology of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the last two decades because of the disease’s increasing prevalence and role in global diabetes mellitus (DM) explosion. An update on the genetic and epigenetic etiology of GDM then becomes imperative to better understand and stem the rising incidence of the disease. This review, therefore, articulated GDM candidate genes and their pathophysiology for the awareness of stakeholders. The search discovered 83 GDM candidate genes, of which TCF7L2, MTNR1B, CDKAL1, IRS1, and KCNQ1 are the most prevalent. Certain polymorphisms of these genes can modulate beta-cell dysfunction, adiposity, obesity, and insulin resistance through several mechanisms. Environmental triggers such as diets, pollutants, and microbes may also cause epigenetic changes in these genes, resulting in a loss of insulin-boosting and glucose metabolism functions. Early detection and adequate management may resolve the condition after delivery; otherwise, it will progress to maternal type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and fetal configuration to future obesity and DM. This shows that GDM is a strong risk factor for T2DM and, in rare cases, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). This further shows that GDM significantly contributes to the rising incidence and burden of DM worldwide and its prevention may reverse the trend. Mutations and epigenetic changes in certain genes are strong risk factors for GDM. For affected individuals with such etiologies, medical practitioners should formulate drugs and treatment procedures that target these genes and their pathophysiology.

中文翻译：

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妊娠期糖尿病的遗传和表观遗传病因学最新进展：综述

在过去的 20 年中，由于妊娠糖尿病 (GDM) 的患病率和在全球糖尿病 (DM) 爆炸中的作用不断增加，因此对妊娠期糖尿病 (GDM) 的遗传和表观遗传病因学进行了许多研究。更新 GDM 的遗传和表观遗传病因学变得势在必行，以更好地了解和阻止该疾病不断上升的发病率。因此，本综述阐明了 GDM 候选基因及其病理生理学，以提高利益相关者的认识。搜索发现了 83 个 GDM 候选基因，其中 TCF7L2、MTNR1B、CDKAL1、IRS1 和 KCNQ1 最为普遍。这些基因的某些多态性可以通过多种机制调节 β 细胞功能障碍、肥胖、肥胖和胰岛素抵抗。环境诱因，如饮食、污染物、微生物也可能导致这些基因的表观遗传变化，导致胰岛素增强和葡萄糖代谢功能的丧失。及早发现和适当的管理可能会在分娩后解决问题；否则，它将发展为母体 2 型糖尿病 (T2DM)，胎儿形态将发展为未来的肥胖和 DM。这表明 GDM 是 T2DM 和在极少数情况下，1 型糖尿病 (T1DM) 和成人发病型糖尿病 (MODY) 的强危险因素。这进一步表明 GDM 显着导致全球 DM 发病率和负担的上升，其预防可能会扭转这一趋势。某些基因的突变和表观遗传变化是 GDM 的重要危险因素。对于具有此类病因的受影响个体，