Genetic linkage analysis of thyroid autoantibodies

Segregation analysis has suggested that the inheritance of thyroid autoantibodies (to thyroglobulin and to thyroid peroxidase) is a dominant Mendelian trait. In this study we describe an attempt to find the chromosomal location(s) of gene(s) responsible for thyroid autoantibody production. We have examined a number of restriction length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and highly polymorphic markers (mini- and microsatellite) for genetic linkage with thyroid autoantibodies using a panel of 16 families with autoimmune thyroid disease. None of the markers used in this study gave evidence of linkage, however minisatellite markers (MS1, MS31, MS32, MS43a, M851, G3) for TPO antibody, minisatellite markers (MS1, MS32, MS43a, MS51, G3) for Tg antibody, and all microsatellite markers used, provided evidence for exclusion of genetic linkage.