HLA class I and class II allele and haplotype diversity in Martinicans

Tissue Antigens. 2001 Mar;57(3):200-7. doi: 10.1034/j.1399-0039.2001.057003200.x.

Abstract

The Martinican population is mainly the product of admixture between African people and French Caucasians. The aim of the present study is to investigate at the DNA level the polymorphism of HLA class I (HLA-A, HLA-B) and class II (HLA-DRB1, DQB1 and DPB1) genes in a population of 100 Martinicans. Allelic distributions and interlocus linkage disequilibria were compared to those observed in a French Caucasian population and in African or North American African populations. Our data revealed a higher degree of polymorphism in Martinicans than in Caucasians and showed a prominant contribution of African origin in the admixed genetic feature of this population. African characteristic alleles were significantly represented in Martinicans: A*30, *33 *34, *66, *74, *8001, B*1510, *35, *42, *53, DRB1*0302, *0804, *1202, *1304, *1503, DPB1*0101, *1701, *1801, *3901. Moreover a higher diversity of A*-B* and DRB1*-DQB1* associations was observed in Martinicans compared to Caucasians which also reflects the African genetic background of this population. In the whole, using PCR-based genotyping methods for HLA class I and class II loci, this study allows a preliminary description of HLA allele distribution in this Caribbean island and gives new elements which may be helpful in the anthropologic field as well as in HLA and disease association studies.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Africa / ethnology
  • Alleles*
  • Black People / genetics
  • France / ethnology
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genes, MHC Class I / genetics*
  • Genes, MHC Class II / genetics*
  • Genetic Markers
  • HLA-A Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-B Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-DP Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-DP beta-Chains
  • HLA-DQ Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-DQ beta-Chains
  • HLA-DR Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains
  • Haplotypes*
  • Humans
  • Linkage Disequilibrium
  • Martinique
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics
  • White People / genetics

Substances

  • Genetic Markers
  • HLA-A Antigens
  • HLA-B Antigens
  • HLA-DP Antigens
  • HLA-DP beta-Chains
  • HLA-DPB1 antigen
  • HLA-DQ Antigens
  • HLA-DQ beta-Chains
  • HLA-DQB1 antigen
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains