Thus, given the large allele-frequency differences of KCNQ1 variants observed in previous studies [15], [16], genotyping and re-sequencing of the KCNQ1 locus and nearby loci on chromosome 11p in additional populations may help identifying the causative variant/s explaining the regional association with reduced insulin release and type 2 diabetes. This evidence concerns the gene KCNQ1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.