Table 2. Candidate genes at four loci.

Marker	Locus	Gene	Notes
D1S549	1q32.1	MDM4	Plays a role in apoptosis*; shows significant structural similarity to p53-binding protein MDM2.
		IL24	Encodes a member of the IL10† family of cytokines; protein encoded is found to induce apoptosis.
		IL20	The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine structurally related to IL-10.
		CD55	Or DAF‡, decay accelerating factor for complement (Cromer blood group system).
D5S1470	5p15.2	DAP	Acts as a positive mediator of programmed cell death (apoptosis).
D8S592	8q24.12	MTBP	Codes MDM2, transformed 3T3 cell double minute 2, p53 binding protein.
D21S1446	21q22	DSCR1	Down syndrome critical region 1.

^*IBD have been previously found to evoke the activation of apoptotic genes.

^†It has been previously found that lack of IL-10 may lead to intestinal inflammation (5).

^‡DAF, or CD55, has been found to have an important role in regulating gut homeostasis and may participate in protecting against IBD (6).