Patent attributes
The present invention relates generally to the field of human genetics. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods and materials used to isolate and detect human diabetes mellitus predisposing gene, specifically the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene, some mutant alleles of which cause susceptibility to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). More specifically, the invention relates to germline mutations in the AGT gene and their use in the diagnosis of predisposition to diabetes. The invention also relates to the prophylaxis and/or therapy of diabetes associated with a mutation in the AGT gene. The invention further relates to the screening of drugs for diabetes therapy. Finally, the invention relates to the screening of the AGT gene for mutations, which are useful for diagnosing the predisposition to diabetes.

