| 摘要 |
<p>This invention relates to methods for determining the risk of developing cataract in mammals, and, more specifically, in mammals, including humans, with non-insulin dependent diabetes. The methods are performed by determining the presence or absence of genetic markers in genomic DNA. The presence of a Z-2 allele, a microsatellite marker of the aldose reductase, is indicative of an increased risk for developing cataract. The presence of Z-4, a microsatellite allele of the aldose reductase gene, indicates a decreased risk for developing cataract. The methods comprise nucleic acid probes that hybridize to a nucleic acid encoding the microsatellite region of the mammalian aldose reductase gene. The probes may also be immobilized on a solid support to form a microarray. In addition, this invention is directed to methods for treating a mammal with a genetic predisposition for developing cataract; following a screening method that detects a Z-2 microsatellite marker of an aldose reductase gene the mammal is treated with an inhibitor of aldose reductase.</p> |
