A human-specific allelic group of the MHC DRB1 gene in primates.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Diversity among human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules has been maintained by host-pathogen coevolution over a long period of time. Reflecting this diversity, the HLA loci are the most polymorphic in the human genome. One characteristic of HLA diversity is long-term persistence of allelic lineages, which causes trans-species polymorphisms to be shared among closely related species. Modern humans have disseminated across the world after their exodus from Africa, while chimpanzees have remained in Africa since the speciation event between humans and chimpanzees. It is thought that modern humans have recently acquired resistance to novel pathogens outside Africa. In the present study, we investigated HLA alleles that could contribute to this local adaptation in humans and

SUBMITTER: Yasukochi Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4072476 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature