DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS AND THE GENETICS OF SIGNAL-TRANSDUCTION - A STUDY OF RETINOPATHY IN NIDDM

Cytosolic low molecular weight acid phosphatase (ACP1) is a high polym orphic phosphotyrosine-protein-phosphatase involved in signal transduc tion. In NIDDM subjects we have found that ACP1 genotype is a highly s ignificant predictor of retinopathy, suggesting that genetic variabili ty of signal transduction may have an important role in the susceptibi lity to this complication. Adenosine deaminase, ABO blood groups and s everal clinical variables have been also considered. The results point out the importance of interactions between generic systems. Among non -genetic variables dislipidemia and treatment with insulin are signifi cantly associated with retinopathy.