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SLC30A8 (ZnT8) at the crossroads of epigenetics and microRNA regulation in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy
Varun Kumar Sharma, Shilpy Singh, Dharmsheel Shrivastav, Department of Biotechnology, Microbiology and Forensic Sciences, School of Sciences, Noida International University, Greater Noida 203201, Uttar Pradesh, India
Mirza Masroor Ali Beg, Faculty of Medicine, Ala-Too International University, Bishkek 720048, Kyrgyzstan
Sourabh Kumar Singh, Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, K.R. Mangalam University, Gurugram 122103, India
Author contributions: All authors contributed to the study design; conception and Content collection were performed by Shrivastav D, Beg MMA and Sharma VK; the first draft of the manuscript was written by Shrivastav D, Beg MMA, Singh SK and Sharma VK commented on previous versions of the manuscript; final review and editing of the manuscript were done by Shrivastav D, Singh SK, and Sharma VK; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
AI contribution statement: The authors take full responsibility and accountability for all content of this manuscript, including any portions for which AI tools were used as assistive technologies. All AI-assisted outputs were carefully reviewed, validated, and approved by the authors. AI tools were not used to generate original scientific data, perform independent scientific analyses, or draw scientific conclusions.
Supported by Intramural Seed Money Grant (Project ID NS. 9) from Noida International University, Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, No. NIU/ODR1/2026/IMR/25.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Dharmsheel Shrivastav, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Microbiology and Forensic Sciences, School of Sciences, Noida International University, Plot 1, Yamuna Expy, Sector 17A, Greater Noida 203201, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Received: April 22, 2026
Revised: June 10, 2026
Accepted: July 9, 2026
Published online: September 25, 2026
Processing time: 113 Days and 15.3 Hours
Revised: June 10, 2026
Accepted: July 9, 2026
Published online: September 25, 2026
Processing time: 113 Days and 15.3 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Diabetic nephropathy is a major complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This review highlights the emerging role of the miR-375/miR-765–PDX-1–SLC30A8/ZnT8 regulatory axis in β-cell dysfunction and renal injury. Targeting this pathway through epigenetic and gene-based therapies may restore insulin homeostasis and offer novel strategies for diabetic nephropathy management.