Switching from Insulin to Oral Sulfonylureas in Patients with Diabetes Due to Kir6.2 Mutations

Abstract
Heterozygous activating mutations in KCNJ11, encoding the Kir6.2 subunit of the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel, cause 30 to 58 percent of cases of diabetes diagnosed in patients under six months of age. Patients present with ketoacidosis or severe hyperglycemia and are treated with insulin. Diabetes results from impaired insulin secretion caused by a failure of the beta-cell KATP channel to close in response to increased intracellular ATP. Sulfonylureas close the KATP channel by an ATP-independent route.