Sequence features of HLA-DRB1 locus define putative basis for gene conversion and point mutations.

ABSTRACT:

Background

HLA/MHC class II molecules show high degree of polymorphism in the human population. The individual polymorphic motifs have been suggested to be propagated and mixed by transfer of genetic material (recombination, gene conversion) between alleles, but no clear molecular basis for this has been identified as yet. A large number of MHC class II allele sequences is publicly available and could be used to analyze the sequence features behind the recombination, revealing possible basis for such recombination processes both in HLA class II genes and other genes, which recombination acts upon.

Results

In this study we analyzed the vast dataset of human allelic variants (49 full coding sequences, 374 full exon 2 sequences) of the most polymorphic MHC class II locus, HLA-D

SUBMITTER: von Salome J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2408603 | biostudies-literature | 2008 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature