The cover image shows the α-carbon backbone (in green) of a dimer of the ligand binding region of HNF4α. The CPK models denote three residues that are sites of missense mutations in patients with MODY1 (Val 255, yellow; Glu 276, purple; and Arg 324, blue). In the present issue of Diabetologia (50: 2600-2601), Fajans and Bell report the presence of macrosomia and neonatal hypoglycaemia in patients from a large family with a mutation (Q268X) in the HNF4A gene.
Cover credit: G. I. Bell, G. M. Lipkind and S. S. Fajans (adapted from Dhe-Paganon S, Duda K, Iwamoto M, Chi Y-I, Shoelson SE (2002) Crystal structure of the HNF4α ligand binding domain in complex with endogenous fatty acid ligand. J Biol Chem 277:37973–37976)