Genes and Mechanisms in Type 1 Diabetes. (360G-Wellcome-082549_Z_07_Z)

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) has a strong genetic basis, and results from autoimmune destruction of the pancreas. Several genes are known to be important, but many others have not yet been identified. Preliminary results from a genome scan by the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium have revealed a region on chromosome 16p13 associated with T1D susceptibility. This area contains 3 potential candidate genes: KIAA0350, MHC2TA and SOCS1, which are all known to influence immune responses. MHC2TA has pre viously been ruled out as a casual variant, however the role of the other two genes in T1D has not been established. The key goals of the proposed project are to investigate SOCS1 and KIAA0350 genes to establish: 1. Whether gene polymorphism is associated with risk of T1D 2. Whether phenotypic differences are present in individuals with susceptible and non-susceptible genotypes, potentially implying a mechanism by which pancreatic destruction might be promoted. As well as improving out improve our ability to predict which individuals are at a genetically higher risk of T1D, evaluation of the function of genes leading to an increased risk of T1D, will provide insights into gene function and pathogenesis of disease, allowing novel therapeutic strategies to be developed.