A resource for studying gene-environmental interrelations in type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is an inherited heterogeneous condition and its pr evalence is rising worldwide. Although nothing is known about the number of the genes involved and their interaction with the environmental factors, t wo extreme strategies have been applied: the candidate gene and the total g enome search approaches, The present study was designed to form a resource of clinical data and DNA from subjects with and without type 2 diabetes, co mplicated or not, in the genetically homogeneous Sardinian population. The population enrolled to date by the Study Group for the Genetics of Diabetes in Sardinia (SGGDS) is divided into 276 families with 727 sib-pairs, 578 c ase-control as well as some families with 3 generations represented, All su bjects are carefully characterised from the clinical and biochemical point of view at time of enrolment and thereafter yearly to constitute the follow -up. Additionally aliquots of leukocytes for DNA extraction, extracted DNA, serum, plasma and urine collections from all participants in the study are stored at -80 degrees C in the Servizio di Diabetologia, Clinica Medica, U niversity of Sassari, The total genome search and the candidate gene approa ches will be used, The comprehensive genetic-environmental database togethe r with the DNA and serum/plasma bank, made by the SGGDS, will be extremely useful to store and retrieve information interacting between the phenotype and the genotype, The results obtained are encouraging and the SGGDS is beg inning to study the genetic/environmental determinants involved in the deve lopment of this complex disease and its complications, Diab. Nutr. Metab. 1 1: 157-168, 1998. (C) 1998,Editrice Kurtis.