Molecular Biology Reports

, 36:1943 | Cite as

The genetic relationship among Iranian ethnic groups: an anthropological view based on HLA class II gene polymorphism

  • Shirin Farjadian
  • Massao Ota
  • Hidetoshi Inoko
  • Abbas Ghaderi
Article
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Accepted:

Abstract

Highly polymorphic human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes are considered as useful markers by molecular anthropologists to determine genetic relationship among populations. This review summarizes the results of molecular analyses of HLA class II gene polymorphism in 816 DNA samples from 11 Iranian ethnic groups. The genetic relationship of Iranians to Asians and Europeans has also been reported here. The results of this study revealed a close genetic relationship among Iranian subpopulations which were well separated from other Asian and European populations, however, a genetic similarity was observed among Iranians, Macedonians, Greeks, and Italians.

Keywords

Anthropology Ethnic groups HLA polymorphism Iran 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iranian Molecular Medicine Network and by Shiraz Institute of Cancer Research. We are grateful to all volunteers who have contributed in this project.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008

Authors and Affiliations

  • Shirin Farjadian
    • 1
    • 2
  • Massao Ota
    • 3
  • Hidetoshi Inoko
    • 4
  • Abbas Ghaderi
    • 1
    • 5
  1. 1.Immunology departmentShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
  2. 2.Allergy Research CenterShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran
  3. 3.Department of Legal MedicineShinshu University School of MedicineMatsumoto, NaganoJapan
  4. 4.Department of Basic Medicine and Molecular MedicineToki University School of MedicineIsehara, KanagawaJapan
  5. 5.Institute of Cancer ResearchShiraz University of Medical SciencesShirazIran

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