Description of a New HLA-E (E∗01031) Allele and Its Frequency in the Spanish Population

• Published in: Human immunology 1997-04, Vol.54 (1), p.69-73
• Main Authors: Gomez-Casado, Eduardo, Martinez-Laso, Jorge, Vargas-Alarcón, Gilberto, Varela, Pilar, Diaz-Campos, Nieves, Alvarez, Miguel, Alegre, Roberto, Arnaiz-Villena, Antonio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alleles; Animals; Base Sequence; Cloning, Molecular; Exons; Gene Frequency - immunology; Genes, MHC Class I - immunology; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - genetics; HLA Antigens - genetics; HLA-E Antigens; Humans; Introns; Molecular Sequence Data; Polymorphism, Genetic - immunology; Spain
• ISSN: 0198-8859; 1879-1166
• DOI: 10.1016/S0198-8859(97)00008-6

An HLA-E polymorphism study by oligotyping and DNA sequencing was carried out in the Spanish population. As a result, a new HLA-E allele (E∗01031) initially assigned by polymerase chain reaction oligotyping as E∗0104 was found. This allele presents a synonymous change at codon 77 (AAT → AAC; Asn) when compared with the E∗01032 allele. This position is located in the α-helix (α1-domain) and is involved in the peptide binding region of the hypothetical HLA-E molecule. Among 60 Spanish individuals, HLA-E∗0101 presents the highest phenotype frequency, followed in decreasing order by E∗01032, E∗01031 (new allele), and E∗0102. Also, new partial intron 1 and complete intron 2 sequences from E∗0101, E∗01031, and E∗01032 are described; the sequences are identical among the three forms. However, the intron 2 sequence of the E∗0102 allele bears a two-base deletion not found in apes.