Abstract
We have searched the human genome for genes that predispose to rheumatoid arthritis using microsatellite marker analysis and affected sib-pair linkage studies. Three principal chromosome regions of linkage, D1S253/214, D8S556 and DXS 1232/984, have been assigned for rheumatoid arthritis disease loci. We are now assigning the truncated form of Dbl proto-oncogene, which does not contain the 23rd and 24th exons, as a candidate gene for DXS 1232/984. Dbl proto-oncogene is one of the GDP/GTP exchange factors and activates Rho family GTPase. In this minireview, We describe our results and Rho family dependent signal transduction correlated with congenital diseases. Genetic linkage mapping and progress of genomic sequence-project will make it possible to identify new genes correlated with many diseases.
