title: Molecular biology of the HLA class I and class II genes.
abstract: The human major histocompatibility complex (the HLA complex) encodes two classes of cell surface heterodimeric glycoproteins which regulate the immune response to foreign antigens. Molecular analysis of the HLA class I and class II genes has yielded considerable information about their organization and structure. The class I genes consist of the polymorphic A, B and C genes and the non-polymorphic Qa, Tla-like genes. The HLA class II region contains multiple alpha and beta genes and pseudogenes which map into three subregions: DR, DQ and DP. The class II genes share similar gene structures, but vary in their degree of polymorphism.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Wake
mesh_terms: D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006682:HLA-DP Antigens; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D006682:HLA-DP Antigens; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II