Group-specific amplification of cDNA from DRB1 genes. Complete coding sequences of partially defined alleles and identification of the new alleles DRB1*040602, DRB1*111102, DRB1*080103, and DRB1*0113

HLA class II peptide-binding-region analysis reveals funneling of polymorphism in action

BACKGROUND

HLA-class II proteins hold important roles in key physiological processes. The purpose of this study was to compile all class II alleles reported in human population and investigate patterns in pocket variants and their combinations, focusing on the peptide-binding region (PBR).

METHODS

For this purpose, all protein sequences of DPA1, DQA1, DPB1, DQB1 and DRB1 were selected and filtered, in order to have full PBR sequences. Proportional representation was used for pocket variants while population data were also used.

RESULTS

All pocket variants and PBR sequences were retrieved and analyzed based on the preference of amino acids and their properties in all pocket positions. The observed number of pocket variants combinations was much lower than the possible inferred, suggesting that PBR formation is under strict funneling. Also, although class II proteins are very polymorphic, in the majority of the reported alleles in all populations, a significantly less polymorphic pocket core was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Pocket variability of five HLA class II proteins was studied revealing favorable properties of each protein. The actual PBR sequences of HLA class II proteins appear to be governed by restrictions that lead to the establishment of only a fraction of the possible combinations and the polymorphism recorded is the result of intense funneling based on function.

Identification of a novel DRB1 allele through intergenic recombination between HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DRB3∗02 in a Chinese family

In this study, a novel DRB1 allele was revealed by routine HLA-SBT typing noted for its extensive mismatches to any known DRB1 alleles within the exon 2. Sequences containing the exons 2, 3 of HLA-DRB1, their surrounding introns, and the full-length cDNA of DRB1 were analyzed to determine a possible recombination event. Interestingly, the sequences of entire exon 2 were characterized as DRB3(∗)02:02:01:01/02; while exon 3 were characterized as DRB1(∗)14 like alleles. Further analysis of the sequences using Simplot software suggested that an intergenic recombinant event (i.e. exchange of sequence between non-allelic genes) may have occurred between DRB3(∗)02 allele and DRB1(∗)14 like allele, and the recombination sites are located at intron 1 and the boundary of exon 2 and intron 2 of DRB1. There are 5 CGGGG sequences flanking each side of exon 2 could serve as potential recombination site. Moreover, the full-length cDNA of the novel allele has been identified. The exon 1 and exon 3 to exon 6 share the same sequence as DRB1(∗)14 like alleles. At the mRNA level, the new allele has no significant difference when compared with the other DRB1 allele. This novel recombinant allele is also found to be paternally inherited. In conclusion, this is the first report of a DRB1 and DRB3 intergenic recombination event involving whole exon 2, which generate a new DRB1(∗)14:141.

Effectiveness and limitations of resolving HLA class I and class II by heterozygous ambiguity resolving primers (HARPs)--a modified technique of sequence-based typing (SBT)

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to evaluate the use of combination of SBT (sequence based typing) and HARP (heterozygous ambiguity resolving primer) in HLA typing to acquire high resolution typing results.

DESIGN AND METHODS

167 DNA samples were analyzed by SBT. The web site HARPs Finder provided by Conexio Genomics, the developer of HARPs (http://www.harpsfinder.conexio-genomics.com/index.html) was then used to search for appropriate HARPs.

RESULTS

HARPs can resolve 95% of ambiguities for locus A; 86% for B and 60% for DRB1 locus. However, there are still limitations. Practically PCR products of un-separated alleles are used as templates for sequencing by HARP; sometimes, it is still impossible to get unambiguous typing.

CONCLUSIONS

We outlined the advantages and disadvantages of SBT/HARP. A list of HARPs for choice to resolve ambiguity of SBT in Taiwanese population is concluded.

Analysis of the complete cDNA sequences of HLA-DRB1 alleles with group-specific amplification primers in the Chinese Han population

Currently for the majority of HLA-DRB1 alleles the focus has been mainly on exon 2 and complete cDNA sequences of HLA-DRB1 alleles are rare. In this study, we analyzed the complete coding sequences of partial alleles of HLA-DRB1 locus. The cDNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using the group-specific primers located in the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions to obtain the complete coding sequences. The amplification products were sequenced using an ABI BigDye® Terminator Cycle Sequencing kit. The HLA-DRB1 allele phylogenetic tree was analyzed by dnaman software. Full-length cDNA sequences of 22 HLA-DRB1 alleles were obtained in this study. HLA-DRB1*08:09, DRB1 *12:02:01, and DRB1*13:12 alleles were first reported for complete coding sequences. The sequences of exon 1 of HLA-DRB1*04:06:01, DRB1*08:03:02, and DRB1 *14:07:01 were newly presented. The complete coding sequences of HLA-DRB1 *01:01:01, DRB1*03:01:01:01, DRB1*04:01:01, DRB1*04:05:01, DRB1*07:01:01: 01, DRB1*09:01:02, DRB1*10:01:01, DRB1*11:01:01, DRB1*12:01:01, DRB1*13: 01:01, DRB1*13:02:01, DRB1*14:04, DRB1*14:54, DRB1*15:01:01:01, DRB1*15: 02:01, and DRB1*16:02:01 were identical to those previously reported. Forty polymorphic positions in complete coding sequences outside exon 2 of these HLA-DRB1 alleles were confirmed. According to the phylogenetic tree of full-length coding sequence, the HLA-DRB1 allele was classified into seven major allelic lineages. In conclusion, a protocol for HLA-DRB1 cDNA amplification and sequencing was improved and the data may help to determine the polymorphism of coding sequences outside exon 2.