Genetic and serological heterogeneity of the supertypic HLA-B locus specificities Bw4 and Bw6.
Gene cloning and sequencing of the HLA-B locus split antigens B38 (B16.1) and B39 (B16.2) allowed localization of their subtypic as well as their public specificities HLA-Bw4 or -Bw6 to the alpha-helical region of the alpha 1 domain flanked by the amino acid positions 74-83. Comparison of their amino acid sequences with those of other HLA-B-locus alleles established HLA-Bw6 to be distinguished by Ser at residue 77 and Asn at residue 80. In contrast, HLA-Bw4 is characterized by at least seven different patterns of amino acid exchanges at positions 77 and 80-83. Reactivity patterns of Bw4- or Bw6-specific monoclonal antibodies reveal two alloantigenic epitopes contributing to the HLA-Bw4 or -Bw6 specificity residing next to the region of highest diversity of the alpha 1 domain.
Medizinische Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik, Abteilung II, Tübingen, Federal Republic of Germany.
C A
CA
Müller
G
G
Engler-Blum
V
V
Gekeler
I
I
Steiert
E
E
Weiss
H
H
Schmidt
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007739:L Cells; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010641:Phenotype; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D012703:Serotyping; D014162:Transfection
D015235:HLA-B Antigens; C042388:HLA-Bw4 antigen; C038652:HLA-Bw6 antigen