Type-2 Diabetes and Identification of Major Genetic Determinants of Glycemic Index in Rice - A Review

Rice consumers of different parts of the world always face the risk of diabetes and related health complications. Dietary intervention is the best adapted measure to maintain blood glucose levels and manage the diseases in rice consuming populations. The glycemic index of rice varieties is negatively correlated to the amylose content. Research studies have proven that the consumption of rice varieties with low glycemic index has beneficial effects in controlling diabetes. The genetic basis for the diversity observed for amylose content in different rice varieties is well elucidated. Waxy gene (Wx) is known to encode Granule-Bound Starch Synthase I (GBSS I) enzyme, which determines the amylose content in rice. Different allelic variations of Wx gene exist, which can be correlated to varying amylose content in rice. The PCR-based markers for detecting single nucleotide polymorphism mutation at Wx locus provides a cost-effective alternative to genotype rice varieties. This review outlines the anti-diabetic properties of rice and strategies to identify rice varieties with a low glycemic index at the molecular level. The molecular basis of the glycemic index allows breeders to successfully identify rice germplasms with low glycemic index and engineer rice varieties with high grain yield and low glycemic index.

Automated summary

Consumers of rice face the risk of diabetes and related health complications, but dietary intervention and identifying rice varieties with low glycemic index can help in managing diabetes. The genetic basis of amylose content in rice varieties can be used to identify rice germplasms with low glycemic index and breed varieties with high grain yield and low glycemic index.