OBJECTIVETo obtain the polymorphic data of short tandem repeat(STR) loci of D15S657, D11S1369, D6S2420 and D6S503 in Chinese Han population and to study the association of these four STR loci with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus(IDDM).

METHODSThe polymorphisms of the four STRs were studied by polymerase chain reaction-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(PCR-PAGE) followed by direct sequencing of PCR products in 105 normal Chinese Hans and 48 patients with IDDM.

RESULTSSeven alleles at D15S657 locus, 5 alleles at D11S1369 locus, 7 alleles at D6S2420 locus and 4 alleles at D6S503 locus were found. No deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed. The heterozygosities of these loci were 0. 7524, 0.6000, 0.6286, 0.6571 and the polymorphic information contents(PIC) 0.7616, 0.4430, 0.5345 and 0.5932, respectively. The allele frequencies of allele A(5) at D15S657 locus, allele A(5) at D11S1369 locus and allele A(4) at D6S2420 locus were increased significantly in patients with IDDM, compared to those in the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe four STRs, used as genetic markers, were suitable for case-control study, forensic medicine identification and population genetic study. There is an association between the polymorphisms of D15S657, D11S1369, D6S2420 and IDDM.