title: Distribution of the mutated delta 32 allele of CCR5 co-receptor gene in Iranian population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The CCR5 is a chemokine receptor that serves as a co-receptor for HIV-1 attachment and entry to T lymphocytes. A 32bp deletion (∆32) in this gene is believed to be associated with resistance to infection and delay disease progression. The aim of this study was to determine the∆32 allele frequency in healthy individuals and HIV-infected individuals with AIDS.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this experiment, 530 normal individuals from healthy Iranian population and 40 HIV-infected samples from Western Clinic of Tehran were examined for∆32 in CCR5 gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques followed by agarose gel electrophoresis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Allele frequencies of the CCR5∆32 in normal individuals were calculated to be 1.1% for heterozygous genotype and 0.19% for homozygous genotype. None of the co-receptor gene in HIV cases was found to be mutated in this study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the findings of this study and the literature in Iran, we could conclude that Iranian people similar to neighbor countries such as Arabs are susceptible to HIV virus infection.
authors.affiliation: 1. PhD student of Department of Medical Biotechnology, Iranian Pasteur Institute, Pasteur Square, Tehran, Iran. hamzebiotech@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hamzeh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rahimi
authors.affiliation: 2. Professor of Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine & Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran & Alborz Food & Drug Laboratory, Fardis, Karaj, Alborz, Iran. mahdiy@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mohammad M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Farajollahi
authors.affiliation: 3. Assistant Professor of Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. hoseini.a@iums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Arshad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hosseini
keywords: AIDS; CCR5∆32; Chemokine receptor; HIV-1; Iran