Identification of susceptibility loci for type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes by trans-racial gene mapping.

A major component of inherited susceptibility to Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus has been mapped to the major histocompatibility complex. Certain gene alleles in this region determine susceptibility and resistance to the disease. Mapping of susceptibility is hindered by the limitations of conventional tissue typing techniques, and by strong linkage disequilibrium within this part of the genome. Recombinant DNA technology and trans-racial studies have been used to allow finer mapping of genetic predisposition to Type 1 diabetes. These techniques have localised alleles encoding susceptibility and resistance to the DQ region. Other alleles determining disease susceptibility remain poorly localised.