Autoantibodies to zinc transporter 8 and SLC30A8 genotype stratify type 1 diabetes risk

Abstract

Aims/hypothesis: Our aim was to determine the relationships between autoantibodies to zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8), genotypes of the ZnT8-encoding gene SLC30A8 and type 1 diabetes risk. Methods: ZnT8 autoantibodies (ZnT8A) were measured in sera of 1,633 children with a first-degree family history of type 1 diabetes and who were prospectively followed from birth. Antibodies were measured by Protein A-based radiobinding assays and COOH-terminal (R325, W325 or Q325 variants) or NH2-terminal constructs of human ZnT8. SLC30A8 genotyping at single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs13266634 was performed on 1,170 children. Results: Antibodies against COOH-terminal ZnT8 constructs (ZnT8A-COOH) develope. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.