the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is now reaching epidemic proportions across the globe, with deaths from the disease reaching 5.1 million and disease complications costing USD 548 billion in 2013 (30). These values are expected to continue to increase, with predictions of a further 205 million sufferers by 2035 (30). T2D is a complex metabolic disease involving hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, which together conspire to cause serious secondary macro- and microvascular complications including cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, and neuropathy (11, 19). Although it is accepted that a loss of an appropriate balance between functioning pancreatic β-cell mass and insulin action in peripheral tissues leads to abnormal glucose homeostasis, the molecular basis of T2D onset and progression is still poorly understood (31, 57).