Biomedical subjects

Y Tanizawa

Publications and source records attributed to Y Tanizawa.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Leptin induces proliferation of pancreatic beta cell line MIN6 through activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Leptin at 1-5 nM, the concentrations observed in obese subjects, caused an increase in the active form of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) that was accompanied by increased tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT-1 and STAT-3 in a mouse pancreatic beta cell line, MIN6. Leptin also increased DNA synthesis and cell viability in MIN6 cells based on the results of [3H]-thymidine incorporation and colorimetric MTT assay, respectively. The specific MAPK-inhibitor PD98059 blocked not only the MAPK activation but also the increment in DNA synthesis and cell viability caused by leptin. Thus, leptin stimulates both the MAPK and the Janus kinase (JAK)-STAT cascade as well as inducing proliferation through the MAPK cascade in MIN6 cells. This mechanism might account, at least in part, for obesity-induced pancreatic islet hypertrophy.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Prevalence of the Trp64Arg missense mutation of the beta3-adrenergic receptor gene in Japanese subjects.

Prompted by the recent findings that a tryptophan to arginine (Trp64Arg) mutation in the beta3-adrenergic receptor gene was associated with an earlier onset of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in Pima Indians, with abdominal obesity and insulin resistance in Finns, and with an increased capacity to gain weight in French whites, we studied the prevalence of this mutation in 231 diabetic and 95 nondiabetic Japanese subjects and assessed its contribution to the development of obesity and NIDDM. The allelic frequencies of the mutation were 0.18 in diabetic and 0.23 in nondiabetic subjects, showing no significant difference between the two groups (P = .067). In nondiabetic subjects, body mass index (BMI) did not differ between those with and without the mutation (22.2 +/- 3.5 v 21.4 +/- 3.2 kg/m2, P = .252). In NIDDM subjects, BMI at the time of study and maximal BMI before the start of treatment did not differ between those with and without the mutation (22.8 +/- 2.6 v 23.2 +/- 3.7 kg/m2, P = .678, and 24.7 +/- 2.6 v 24.9 +/- 3.1 kg/m2, P = .277). Homozygotes for the mutation did not have trends to have increased BMI in either diabetic or nondiabetic subjects. The age at diagnosis of NIDDM also did not differ between the two groups (48.8 +/- 9.9 v 47.8 +/- 12.5 years, P = .796). Fasting serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and systolic and diastolic blood pressure before the start of treatment did not differ between NIDDM subjects with and without the mutation. In conclusion, although the Trp64Arg mutation is not uncommon in Japanese, it does not appear to be associated with obesity, NIDDM, age at diagnosis of NIDDM, or dyslipidemia. Our results suggest that the mutation has minor effects, if any, on the development of obesity and NIDDM in Japanese.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Direct stimulation of basal insulin secretion by physiological concentrations of leptin in pancreatic beta cells.

We examined a possible mechanism underlying the link between obesity and hyperinsulinemia, focusing on leptin, a peptide released from adipocytes which affects the satiety center in the brain. The leptin receptor isoforms, Ob-Ra and Ob-Rb, are present in the pancreatic beta cell line MIN6 and in rat pancreatic islets, based on RT-PCR. A 2 hr, but not a 30 min, incubation with 1 nM recombinant mouse leptin, the concentration observed in obese subjects, stimulated basal (at 5 mM glucose) insulin secretion by approximately 40% in both MIN6 and rat islets. Stimulatory effects were not observed without glucose or when the incubation medium containing 1 nM leptin had been preincubated with the immobilized leptin antibody. In contrast to the stimulatory effects on basal insulin secretion at 1 nM, the maximally stimulated insulin secretion at 25 mM glucose was not significantly changed by 1 nM leptin in isolated rat islets. In addition, 10 and 100 nM leptin exerted small but significant inhibitory effects on 16.7 mM glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Thus, leptin acts directly on pancreatic beta cells, and stimulation of basal insulin secretion by physiological concentrations of leptin may account in part for the fasting hyperinsulinemia observed in obese subjects.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Genetics of NIDDM in France: studies with 19 candidate genes in affected sib pairs.

As part of an ongoing search for susceptibility loci for NIDDM, we tested 19 genes whose products are implicated in insulin secretion or action for linkage with NIDDM. Loci included the G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels expressed in beta-cells (KCNJ3 and KCNJ7), glucagon (GCG), glucokinase regulatory protein (GCKR), glucagon-like peptide I receptor (GLP1R), LIM/homeodomain islet-1 (ISL1), caudal-type homeodomain 3 (CDX3), proprotein convertase 2 (PCSK2), cholecystokinin B receptor (CCKBR), hexokinase 1 (HK1), hexokinase 2 (HK2), mitochondrial FAD-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPD2), liver and muscle forms of pyruvate kinase (PKL, PKM), fatty acid-binding protein 2 (FABP2), hepatic phosphofructokinase (PFKL), protein serine/threonine phosphatase 1 beta (PPP1CB), and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Additionally, we tested the histidine-rich calcium locus (HRC) on chromosome 19q. All regions were tested for linkage with microsatellite markers in 751 individuals from 172 families with at least two patients with overt NIDDM (according to World Health Organization criteria) in the sibship, using nonparametric methods. These 172 families comprise 352 possible affected sib pairs with overt NIDDM or 621 possible affected sib pairs defined as having a fasting plasma glucose value of >6.1 mmol/l or a glucose value of >7.8 mmol/l 2 h after oral glucose load. No evidence for linkage was found with any of the 19 candidate genes and NIDDM in our population by nonparametric methods, suggesting that those genes are not major contributors to the pathogenesis of NIDDM. However, some evidence for suggestive linkage was found between a more severe form of NIDDM, defined as overt NIDDM diagnosed before 45 years of age, and the CCKBR locus (11p15.4; P = 0.004). Analyses of six additional markers spanning 27 cM on chromosome 11p confirmed the suggestive linkage in this region. Whether an NIDDM susceptibility gene lies on chromosome 11p in our population must be determined by further analyses.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1997

[Islet 1 gene].

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Animals↗

PubMed1996

A human pancreatic islet inwardly rectifying potassium channel: cDNA cloning, determination of the genomic structure and genetic variations in Japanese NIDDM patients.

Ligand gated potassium channels, such as the ATP-regulated potassium channel, play crucial roles in coupling of stimuli to insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells. Mutations in the genes might lead to the insulin secretory defects observed in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). We isolated a cDNA encoding a putative subunit of a ligand gated potassium channel from a human islet cDNA library. The channel, which we designated hiGIRK2, appeared to be an alternative spliced variant and a human homologue of recently reported mbGIRK2, KATP-2/BIR1. Transcripts were detected in human brain and pancreas, but not in other tissues including cardiac muscle. The sizes of transcripts in the pancreas differed from those in the brain, suggesting tissue-specific alternative splicing and possible isoforms. We then isolated human genomic clones, determined the complete genomic structure and localized the gene to chromosome 21 (21q22). The gene was comprised of four exons and the protein was encoded by three exons. The entire coding region of the hiGIRK2 gene was scanned by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis in 80 Japanese NIDDM patients. We found five nucleotide substitutions; three were silent mutations of the third base of codons, one in the first intron, 9 bases upstream of exon 2, and one in the 3'-untranslated region. We conclude that mutations in the gene encoding hiGIRK2, a (subunit of) ligand gated potassium channel, is not a major determinant of the susceptibility to NIDDM in Japanese.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed1996

Structural analysis of human natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 promoter.

Natural resistance-associated macrophage protein gene 1 (Nramp1) was isolated as a candidate for the mouse gene locus Lsh/Ity/Bcg, which regulates macrophage activation for antimicrobial activity against intracellular pathogens. To investigate the structural and functional organization of the human homologue, NRAMP1, the overlapping genomic clones encompassing NRAMP1 were isolated. These clones spanned approximately 35 kb in size and the nucleotide sequence of 3779 bp of the 5' flanking region has been determined. The transcription start site was mapped by primer extension analysis. A TATA box element and the transcription regulatory elements in the acute phase reaction were found.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1996

A novel mutation in the ferrochelatase gene associated with erythropoietic protoporphyria.

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a hereditary disorder caused by mutations of the ferrochelatase gene. We investigated a Japanese patient with a dominant form of erythropoietic protoporphyria for a ferrochelatase mutation. Sequence analysis of the proband's ferrochelatase cDNA revealed a T to C point mutation at nucleotide 557. This mutation resulted in the replacement of Ile by Thr at amino acid position 186, a novel mutation in erythropoietic protoporphyria. An increase in ferrochelatase activity was not observed in the crude extract of E. coli over-expressing the mutant protein compared with the control, whereas a marked increase in activity was observed in that over-expressing the wild type. Prediction of the secondary structure of ferrochelatase suggested that the Ile186-->Thr mutation changed the original beta-sheet structure to an alpha helix in the region including amino acid residue of mutation. We conclude that, in the patient, the Ile186-->Thr mutation had abolished enzyme activity, possibly by disrupting the secondary structure, thereby causing erythropoietic protoporphyria.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Isolation, characterization, and chromosomal mapping of the human insulin promoter factor 1 (IPF-1) gene.

Insulin promoter factor 1 (IPF-1) is a homeodomain-containing protein that is thought to be a key regulator of pancreatic islet development and insulin gene transcription in beta-cells. This report describes the isolation and characterization of the human IPF-1 gene. The coding region, which showed 83% nucleotide identity with the mouse IPF-1 gene, was encoded by two exons that extended over a 5-kb region of human genome. The deduced human IPF-1 protein contained 283 amino acids, 1 amino acid less than the mouse IPF-1 protein. The homeodomain region of IPF-1 was encoded by the second exon, and it was highly conserved among species. The human IPF-1 gene was mapped to chromosome 13q12(12.1) by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. A simple sequence repeat polymorphism (ipf1CA2) was identified in the genomic clone. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of this repeat region revealed two alleles (heterozygosity = 0.32). This simple sequence repeat polymorphism, and thus the IPF-1 gene, was incorporated into the human linkage map by genotyping reference Human Polymorphism Study Center (CEPH) pedigrees. Multipoint analysis with the CEPH genotype database placed the gene with equal likelihood between two marker intervals: D13S292-cdx3GA1 and cdx3GA1-D13S289 on chromosome 13, consistent with the results of FISH analysis. Two-point linkage analysis inferred that the most likely location for ipf1CA2 was at theta = 0 from cdx3GA1 locus. The exon-intron boundaries of the IPF-1 gene were sequenced, and primers were synthesized to search the homeodomain region for potential variants in patients with NIDDM. By single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis, no variants were found within this region in 61 Japanese patients, which could contribute to the pathogenesis of NIDDM. The isolation of the human IPF-1 gene, along with characterization of its genomic structure and chromosomal mapping, will now permit the assessment of the role of this gene in the pathogenesis of NIDDM in various populations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Variable effects of maturity-onset-diabetes-of-youth (MODY)-associated glucokinase mutations on substrate interactions and stability of the enzyme.

Mutations in the human glucokinase (GK) gene are thought to cause maturity-onset diabetes of youth (MODY) by leading to the production of enzymes with reduced catalytic activities and increased glucose Km values. However, in some cases the diabetic phenotype is more severe than might be predicted from these apparent kinetic effects alone. To determine whether these mutations might also effect other characteristics of the enzyme, nine MODY-associated mutants were expressed as fusion proteins with Schistosoma japonicum glutathione S-transferase (GST) and compared with three wild-type human GK isoforms that were also expressed in the same manner. Three GST-GK isoforms (liver 1, liver 2 and islet) were kinetically indistinguishable from each other and from purified rat liver GK. Noteworthy is a glucose-induced fit effect for the interaction of trinitrophenyl (TNP)-ATP with GST-GK, whereby glucose significantly increased the affinity of TNP-ATP binding to GST-GK without changing the stoichiometry of binding. The nine MODY-associated mutations studied either showed diminished catalytic activity, substrate affinities, allosteric regulation, or stability of the fusion enzyme. We conclude that: (1) Gly261 and Lys414 are important for ATP binding; (2) Val203 may be essential for a glucose-induced fit effect; and (3) the stability of fusion protein may be significantly reduced when Glu300 is replaced by Lys. These results suggest that, in addition to effects on the Km and Vmax. of GK, a decrease in the ATP-binding affinity or stability of the mutated enzyme may also contribute to a reduction of GK activity in individuals with GK-MODY. In the B-cell this would have the effect of blunting glucose-stimulated insulin release, thereby contributing to the diabetic phenotype.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1995

HepG2/erythrocyte glucose transporter (GLUT1) gene in NIDDM: a population association study and molecular scanning in Japanese subjects.

To evaluate the role of mutations in the glucose transporter (GLUT1) gene in Japanese patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), we first conducted a population association study using the XbaI polymorphism of the gene. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay was developed and used for the analysis. When analysed in 91 diabetic patients and 87 non-diabetic control subjects, the distribution of the genotype frequency was significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.0025). The (-) allele was significantly associated with NIDDM (odds ratio 2.317, 95% confidence interval 1.425-3.768). To identify possible mutation(s) in the GLUT1 gene, which was in linkage disequilibrium with the (-) allele, all ten exons of the gene were analysed by PCR single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis in 53 diabetic patients with at least one (-) allele. Variant SSCP patterns were detected in exons 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10. Sequence analysis revealed that all the variants represented silent mutations. One of the variants in exon 2, GCT (Ala15)-->GCC(Ala), created a HaeIII restriction site. This polymorphism was common in Japanese subjects with heterozygosity of 0.36 and polymorphism information content 0.29. We conclude that the structural mutation of GLUT1 is rare and not likely to be a major genetic determinant of NIDDM in Japanese subjects. The XbaI (-) allele of the GLUT1 gene appeared to be a genetic marker of NIDDM in Japanese subjects. The possibility of the presence of mutation(s) in the regulatory region of the gene or in another locus nearby could not be excluded.

Alleles↗

PubMed1995

Sequence variations of the pancreatic islet/liver glucose transporter (GLUT2) gene in Japanese subjects with noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

To assess the genetic susceptibility to noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in Japanese subjects, we investigated the role of GLUT2 gene defects in patients with NIDDM. When the allelic frequency of a simple tandem repeat polymorphism in the GLUT2 gene was compared, the allele with 155 base pairs was more common in NIDDM patients (n = 99) than in controls (n = 89; 5.1% vs. 0.6%; P = 0.0118, by Fisher's exact test), whereas this was not significant after the correction for multiple comparisons. To directly identify mutations, we then analyzed each of 11 exons by the polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis in 60 NIDDM patients. We found 2 missense mutations in exon 3: CCC-->CTC (Pro68-->Leu) in 1 patient and ACT-->ATT (Thr110-->Ile) in 3 patients, all in the heterozygous state. These mutations were not found in 60 control subjects. To evaluate the significance of the Pro68-->Leu mutation, the family members of the proband were studied. The mutation did not appear to be associated with the disease or other clinical parameters including change in immunoreactive insulin/change in plasma glucose or oral glucose load. The other mutation (Thr110-->Ile) is known to be functionally insignificant. We identified 4 additional nucleotide changes, all of which appeared to be silent. We concluded that the mutations in the GLUT2 gene were not major determinants of genetic susceptibility to NIDDM in Japanese.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Characterization of the LIM/homeodomain gene islet-1 and single nucleotide screening in NIDDM.

Islet-1 (Isl-1) is a unique transcription factor that binds to the enhancer region of the insulin gene. To evaluate this gene in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), a full-length human Isl-1 cDNA was isolated and the genomic structure was characterized. The cDNA [2,395 bp plus additional poly(A) residues] contained an open reading frame from an initiator methionine at nucleotide 240 to an opal stop codon at nucleotide 1,286 (GenBank accession number UO7559), encoding a predicted protein of 349 amino acids (39 kDa). From their ends, 23 additional clones were sequenced, revealing 15 incomplete cDNAs and 8 intron-containing partially processed precursors. As determined by Northern blotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis, Isl-1 was most abundantly expressed as a 2.4-kb mRNA in human islets, with a restricted pattern of expression in other adult human tissues. Analysis of genomic clones revealed that Isl-1 is encoded by six exons, varying in size from 168 bp (exon 5) to 1,230 bp (exon 6). Exons 2 and 3 each encode a LIM domain, while the homeodomain is completely contained within exon 4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Variability of the pancreatic islet beta cell/liver (GLUT 2) glucose transporter gene in NIDDM patients.

The purpose of these experiments was to test the hypothesis that impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in NIDDM is due to mutations in the islet beta cell/liver glucose transporter (GLUT 2) gene. Using oligonucleotide primers flanking each of the 11 exons, the structural portion of the gene was studied by PCR-SSCP analysis. DNA from African-American females (n = 48), who had gestational diabetes but developed overt NIDDM after delivery, was studied. Each SSCP variant was sequenced directly from genomic DNA. Two amino acid substitutions from the previously reported sequence were found, one in exon 3 and the other in exon 4B. Four additional silent mutations in the coding region, and six intron mutations outside the splice junction consensus sequences, were also identified. The mutation GTC x ATC in exon 4B substituted Val197 to Ile197. This amino acid substitution was found in only one NIDDM patient in a single allele, and was not found in 52 control subjects. This residue exists in the fifth membrane spanning domain, and Val at this position is conserved in mouse and rat GLUT 2, and human GLUT 1 to GLUT 4. The other codon change in exon 3, ACT x ATT, substituted Thr110 to Ile110 in the second membrane spanning domain. To determine the frequency of this non-conservative amino acid substitution, a PCR-LCR assay was developed. This assay was simple and highly specific for detection of this single nucleotide substitution. The allelic frequency of the ATT (Ile110) in NIDDM patients (39.6%, n = 48) and that in controls (47.1%, n = 52) did not differ (p = 0.32, Fisher's exact test).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Glucokinase gene in gestational diabetes mellitus: population association study and molecular scanning.

Mutations of the glucokinase gene result in early-onset familial Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus, and several members of the mutant glucokinase kindreds were originally diagnosed as having gestational diabetes. This study examined the glucokinase gene in 270 American Black women, including 94 with gestational diabetes whose diabetes resolved after pregnancy (gestational diabetes only), 77 with gestational diabetes who developed Type 2 diabetes after pregnancy (overt diabetes), and 99 normal control subjects who were recruited during the peripartum period. Two simple sequence repeat polymorphisms flanking either end of the glucokinase gene were evaluated. No association was found between glucokinase alleles and gestational diabetes only or overt diabetes, after adjustment for multiple comparisons. To detect single base changes, all 11 exons and proximal islet and liver promoter regions were examined by polymerase chain reaction plus single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis in 45 gestational diabetes only patients who had not yet developed Type 2 diabetes. Nine coding region variants were identified: Ala11 (GCC) to Thr11 (ACC) in islet exon 1, and 8 variants either in untranslated regions or in the third base of a codon. Four variant sites were found in introns, but none in splicing consensus sequences. Analysis of the promoter regions revealed two common variants, G-->A at islet -30 (24%), and G-->A at liver -258 (42%). The frequencies of the promoter variants, determined by allele specific polymerase chain reaction analysis, but did not differ among the three groups. Thus, no significant coding sequence glucokinase mutations were found in 90 alleles from 45 patients with gestational diabetes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Molecular screening of the glucokinase gene in familial type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

The glucokinase locus has been implicated by linkage studies in several Caucasian pedigrees with early onset, autosomal dominant diabetes, and mutations have been identified in a large number of these pedigrees. Although mutations have been reported in some pedigrees with late onset Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus, linkage studies of typical familial Type 2 diabetes did not suggest a major role for this locus. Nonetheless, linkage studies were consistent with the hypothesis that mutations of the glucokinase gene were responsible for the pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes in a minority of pedigrees or one gene in a polygenic disorder. To systematically address this hypothesis, we examined 60 diabetic members of 18 pedigrees ascertained for two or more Type 2 diabetic siblings and eight unrelated diabetic spouses. Initially, the coding regions from each of the 11 glucokinase exons were examined by the sensitive technique of single strand conformation polymorphism analysis to screen for single nucleotide substitutions. Subsequently, we also sequenced each exon from an affected member of the single pedigree in which a glucokinase allele was most likely to segregate with diabetes. Single strand conformation polymorphism analysis detected only three variants, none of which altered the amino acid sequence. No coding or splice site mutations were detected. Likewise, no additional mutations were detected upon direct sequence analysis. However, additional screening of promoter and 3' untranslated regions detected a variant pattern in the untranslated region of exon 10 which appeared to segregate with diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance in one pedigree.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Human glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor gene in NIDDM. Identification and use of simple sequence repeat polymorphisms in genetic analysis.

Glucagon-like polypeptides, GLP-1-(7-36)-amide and GLP-1-(7-37), are important regulators of insulin synthesis and secretion by islet beta-cells. The hypothesis to be tested in this study was that defects in the islet beta-cell GLP-1 receptor gene contribute to the impaired glucose-regulated insulin secretion of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Human islet GLP-1 receptor genomic clones were isolated, and two highly polymorphic simple sequence repeat regions (GLP-1R-CA1 and GLP-1R-CA3) were identified. Polymerase chain reaction assays were developed to define alleles. For GLP-1R-CA1, 14 alleles were observed in African-Americans (heterozygosity [het] = 0.78) and 6 alleles in Caucasians (het = 0.67). For GLP-1R-CA3, 16 alleles were observed in African Americans (het = 0.89) and 8 alleles in Caucasians (het = 0.83). By genotyping all members of the 40 reference Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain pedigrees at GLP-1R-CA3, the human GLP-1 receptor gene was uniquely placed on chromosome 6p between GLO1 and D6S19, 20.4 cM from human leukocyte antigen. To assess the possible role of the GLP-1 receptor gene in determining the genetic susceptibility to NIDDM, allelic frequencies of GLP-1R-CA1 and GLP-1R-CA3 were compared between African-American NIDDM patients (n = 95) and control subjects (n = 93). The frequencies did not differ between the two groups at either GLP-1R-CA1 or GLP-1R-CA3. The GLP-1 receptor gene simple-sequence repeat polymorphisms were used for linkage analysis in Utah Mormon pedigrees (n = 16) with NIDDM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Isolation of the human LIM/homeodomain gene islet-1 and identification of a simple sequence repeat polymorphism [corrected].

The islet-1 (Isl-1) gene encodes a protein that binds to the enhancer region of the insulin gene. Isl-1 is a member of the LIM/homeodomain family of transcription factors. Because insulin deficiency, either relative or absolute, is a cardinal feature of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), this study addressed the question of whether mutations in genes that regulate insulin production could be involved. Rat Isl-1 was the first insulin enhancer binding protein to be isolated, and, in this study, the rat gene was used to isolate a partial human islet Isl-1 cDNA and subsequently to isolate genomic clones. A simple sequence repeat was found in the Isl-1 gene, and polymerase chain reaction amplification of this region of genomic DNA revealed 12 alleles in St. Louis African-Americans (het = 0.87), 14 alleles in black Nigerians (het = 0.89), 8 alleles in Japanese (het = 0.69), and 8 alleles in Caucasians (het = 0.81). Genetic linkage analysis uniquely placed Isl-1 on chromosome 5q (D5S395[12.8 cM]Isl-1 [11.6 cM]D5S407). The simple sequence repeat polymorphism at the Isl-1 locus was used to evaluate mutations in this gene as a possible contributor to the pathogenesis of NIDDM. Allelic frequencies did not differ between patients with NIDDM (n = 165) and nondiabetic control subjects (n = 163) in two black populations (St. Louis African-Americans and Nigerians). Linkage analyses in 15 nonglucokinase maturity-onset diabetes of the young pedigrees indicated that linkage could be rejected (LOD score < -3.0) over a distance of 15 cM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alleles↗