ABSTRACT Genome-wide association studies have identified hundreds of signals for type 2 diabetes (T2D), most of which confer risk through effects on gene expression. We previously identified the transcription factor ZMIZ1 as a probable effector transcript in human islets, but how altered ZMIZ1 expression impacts T2D risk is unknown. We now show that islets from carriers of the T2D-risk alleles have reduced islet insulin content and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. To elucidate the mechanism for islet-cell dysfunction, we generated β-cell-specific Zmiz1 knockout (Zmiz1 βKO ) mice. Male and female Zmiz1 βKO mice were glucose intolerant with impaired insulin secretion, compared with control littermates. Transcriptomic profiling of Zmiz1 βKO islets identified over 500 differentially expressed genes including those involved in β-cell function and maturity which we confirmed at the protein level. After high fat feeding, Zmiz1 βKO mice fail to expand β-cell mass and become severely diabetic. Thus, Zmiz1 is required for normal glucose homeostasis and may contribute to T2D risk by maintaining a mature β-cell state and allowing islet mass expansion upon metabolic stress.

Zmiz1 is required for mature β-cell function and mass expansion upon high fat feeding