[Current studies on the identification of susceptibility genes for IDDM in NOD mice]

Until recently, localization of genes involved in multifactorial diseases, such as diabetes, was thought to be impracticable. The recent development of microsatellite genetic markers detected by PCR has facilitated detailed genetic analysis of complex traits. Microsatellite markers have been utilized for genetic analysis of NOD mice which spontaneously develop autoimmune IDDM similar to the human disease. There is evidence for ten distinct loci that affect the development of insulitis and diabetes in NOD mice. One of these loci, designated Idd-1, has been linked to the MHC on chromosome 17. Transgenic mouse experiments have shown that Idd-1 is composed of MHC class II genes I-A beta and I-E alpha.