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The major susceptibility genes for type 1 diabetes are located on the HLA region of chromosome 6q21. Recent attention has focused on the class II genes (i.e., DR, DQ, DP), with particular emphasis on DQ. The HLA-DQ molecule is a heterodimer, and consists of an alpha chain (coded by the DQA1 gene) and a beta chain (coded by the DQB1 gene). The DQ heterodimers present antigens to helper T cells and are involved with immune response.