Patent ID: 6534272
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: C12Q

Abstract:
A DNA assay for the prediction of autoimmune diabetes in human subjects where predisposition, to autoimmune diabetes in a human subject is indicated by the presence of at least one Class III allele of the INS VNTR of a subtype that silences thymic insulin expression, said assay comprising the steps of:a) obtaining a DNA sample from the subject and subjecting the sample to PCR amplification using a primer pair specific for said class III allele; b) subjecting the amplified sample to digestion with a restriction enzyme having a cleavage site on an uncommon variant of the repeat unit of the class III allele; and c) subjecting the digested sample to electrophoresis to test for the presence of a fragment pattern identical to that of specific class III allele subtypes demonstrated to predispose to autoimmune diabetes which silences thymic insulin expression, wherein said class III allele of the INS VNTR is S1 allele having a DNA sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No: 6.