Abstract
The class II region of the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contains a cluster of highly polymorphic genes organized into at least three subloci (DR, DQ, and DP), each encoding a subset of surface antigens participating in the modulation of the immune response. Genetic diversity in this system is brought about by two major mechanisms, hypermutation and trans-species evolution. The DQ subregion contains a pair of closely related A genes, HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQA2, whose phylogenetic relationship is uncertain, although their generation by duplication of an ancestral A gene before or after speciation can be implied. We report here the presence of a member of the Alu repetitive family immediately 5′ to the HLA-DQA1 gene. The sequence of this element indicates that it may have integrated by transposition at the time of divergence of hominoids from Old World monkeys. HLA-DQA2 carries an empty integration target site in place of the Alu, thereby suggesting that the insertion of Alu near HLA-DQA1 was preceded by the separation of the two genes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andrew, P.: Improved timing of hominoid evolution with a DNA clock. Nature 314: 498–499, 1985
Auffray, C., Lillie, J. W., Arnot, D., Grossberger, D., Kaffes, D., and Strominger, J. L.: Isotypic and allotypic variations of human class II histocompatibility antigen α-chain genes. Nature 308: 327–333, 1984
Auffray, C., Lillie, J. W., Korman, A. J., Boss, J. M., Fréchin, N., Guillemot, F., Cooper, J., Mulligan, R. C., and Strominger, J. L.: Structure and expression of HLA-DQ αand-DX αgenes: interallelic alternate splicing of the HLA-DQ αgene and functional splicing of the HLA-DX αgene using a retroviral vector. Immunogenetics 26: 63–73, 1987
Das, H. K., Lawrance, S. K., and Weissmann, S. M.: Structure and nucleotide sequence of the heavy chain gene of HLA-DR. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 80: 3543–3547, 1983
Deininger, P. L. and Slagel, V. K.: Recently amplified Alu family members share a common parental Alu sequence. Mol Cell Biol 8: 4566–4589, 1988
Del Pozzo, G. and Guardiola, J.: Mummy DNA fragment identified. Nature 339: 431–432, 1989
Figueroa, F., Günther, E., and Klein, J.: MHC polymorphism predating speciation. Nature 335: 265–267, 1988
Lawlor, D. A., Ward, F. E., Ennis, P. D., Jackson, A. P., and Parham, P.: HLA-A and-B polymorphisms predate the divergence of humans and chimpanzees. Nature 335: 268–271, 1988
Li, W. H., Gojobori, T., and Nei, M.: Pseudogenes as a paradigm of neutral evolution. Nature 292: 237–239, 1981
McConnell, T. J., Talbot, W. S., McIndoe, R. A., and Wakeland, E. K.: The origin of MHC class II gene polymorphism within the genus Mus. Nature 332: 651–654, 1988
Moriuchi, J., Moriuchi, T., and Silver, J.: Nucleotide sequence of an HLA-DQα clone derived from a DRw9 cell line: genetic and evolutionary implications. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 82: 3420–3424, 1985
Okada, K., Boss, J. M., Prentice, H., Spies, T., Mengler, R., Auffray, C., Lillie, J., Grossberger, D., and Strominger, J. L.: Gene organization of DC and DX subregions of the human major histocompatibility complex. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 82: 3410–3414, 1985
Thomas, R. H., Schaffner, W., Wilson, A. C., and Pääbo, S.: DNA phylogeny of the extinct marsupial wolf. Nature 340: 465–467, 1989
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The nucleotide sequence data reported in this paper have been submitted to the GenBank nucleotide sequence database and have been assigned the accession number M32372.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Del Pozzo, G., Guardiola, J. A SINE insertion provides information on the divergence of the HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQA2 genes. Immunogenetics 31, 229–232 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00204892
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00204892