The frequencies of heterozygous genotypes HLA-DRB1*03/DRB1*04 and DRB1*04/DRB1*08 were reported to be increased in type 1 diabetes, and it was proposed that HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, and -DQB1 loci independently contributed to susceptibility to this disease28. The gene discussed is HLA-DQA1; the disease is type 1 diabetes mellitus.