An agent for detection of gene structures which are characteristic of humans having a tendency to develop insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), consisting of or containing a DNA sequence from the HLA-DG beta -chain gene with 154 bp from intron 1 (IVS1) and adjoining first 12 bp of exon 2 or a reactive fragment thereof. There is moreover disclosed a process for identification of said DNA structure by hybridization of chromosomes from the individual to be tested with the agent in a labelled stated and detection of the labelled hybrid.
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