Antigenic characteristics and cDNA sequences of HLA-B73

Gorilla MHC class I gene and sequence variation in a comparative context

Comparisons of MHC gene content and diversity among closely related species can provide insights into the evolutionary mechanisms shaping immune system variation. After chimpanzees and bonobos, gorillas are humans’ closest living relatives; but in contrast, relatively little is known about the structure and variation of gorilla MHC class I genes (Gogo). Here, we combined long-range amplifications and long-read sequencing technology to analyze full-length MHC class I genes in 35 gorillas. We obtained 50 full-length genomic sequences corresponding to 15 Gogo-A alleles, 4 Gogo-Oko alleles, 21 Gogo-B alleles, and 10 Gogo-C alleles including 19 novel coding region sequences. We identified two previously undetected MHC class I genes related to Gogo-A and Gogo-B, respectively, thereby illustrating the potential of this approach for efficient and highly accurate MHC genotyping. Consistent with their phylogenetic position within the hominid family, individual gorilla MHC haplotypes share characteristics with humans and chimpanzees as well as orangutans suggesting a complex history of the MHC class I genes in humans and the great apes. However, the overall MHC class I diversity appears to be low further supporting the hypothesis that gorillas might have experienced a reduction of their MHC repertoire.

HLA-B*5130, a new HLA-B allele carrying a rare nucleotide substitution in exon 4

We report herein the identification of a new HLA-B*51 allele in a Spanish Caucasoid organ donor. The novel allele, designated B*5130, differs from B*51011 by one nucleotide change at position 787 (A to G) in exon 4, leading to an amino acid change from Arg (AGA) to Gly (GGA) at codon 239 in the alpha3 domain. This substitution is present in most classical and nonclassical HLA class I loci (A, C, E, and G) but not in any of the HLA-B alleles reported so far, except for B*7301. Although the frequency of the new variant seems to be low, its existence makes mandatory the analysis of exon 4 before assigning a B*5101 type.

Intron sequences of HLA-B*73

Molecular typing methods of HLA-B, like sequence-specific oligonucleotide hybridization and sequence-based typing, are based on gene-specific amplifications of exons 2 and 3 followed by probe hybridization or sequence determination. The necessary gene-specific amplification primers are often located in rather conserved regions of the introns. In several of these procedures HLA-B*73 was not amplified, resulting in drop-out of the allele. To investigate the reason for the allelic drop-out, the sequences of introns 1, 2 and 3 of HLA-B*7301 were determined. Comparison of the intron sequence of B*7301 with other HLA-B and HLA-C alleles revealed several remarkable features. The overall sequence resembles the sequence of other HLA-B alleles, although 35 differences were found with a consensus intron sequence. The insertions and deletions shown in intron 2 of B*73 were strikingly similar with the sequences of the HLA-C alleles, as was the 5' end of intron 3. Furthermore, a unique deletion was observed in the middle of intron 3, not noticed in other HLA-B or C alleles. The HLA-B-specific primers, widely used for sequence-specific oligonucleotide hybridization and sequence-based typing purposes, showed mismatches with the B*73 intron sequences, causing the allelic drop-out. Correct amplification of complete exons 2 and 3 of B*7301 was enabled by the design of new primers in intron 2 and 3.

The complete primary structure of Cw*1701 reveals a highly divergent HLA class I molecule

Genotyping of the HLA-C locus by PCR-SSP has previously shown 100% association of B41 and B42 with a new allelic variant. Partial sequencing studies (exons 2-4) demonstrated that this PCR-SSP variant corresponded to the new allele Cw*1701. In this study we have characterized the whole coding region of Cw*1701 from a Bubi individual of Equatorial Guinea. Our results partially confirm the previously reported sequence and reveal that Cw*1701 has many new polymorphisms at several exons, including a 18-bp insertion in exon 5. Cw*1701 is thus a most unusual HLA-C molecule defining a third allelic lineage of this locus.