HLA class II DNA polymorphism in a Moroccan population from the Souss, Agadir area

Tissue Antigens. 1998 Jan;51(1):106-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.1998.tb02954.x.

Abstract

HLA DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1 polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-SSO typing in a sample of the Moroccan population from Souss. Uneven allelic frequency distributions are observed at each locus, with particularly high frequencies for DRB1*0701, DRB1*0301, DQA1*0501, DQA1*0201, and DQB1*0201. Only three haplotypes (DRB1*0701-DQA1*0201-DQB1*0201, DRB1*0301-DQA1*0501-DQB1*0201 and DRB1*11-DQA1*0501-DQB1*0301) account for nearly 50% of the total gene frequencies. A genetic distance analysis reveals that the Moroccan population is close to the Spanish and the Algerians, who live in geographically neighboring areas. However, the Souss population is also characterized by a lower level of genetic diversity compared to other African and European populations from the Mediterranean area. This may be the result of a rapid genetic drift due to their likely geographical and/or cultural isolation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • DNA
  • Gene Frequency
  • HLA-DQ Antigens / genetics*
  • HLA-DQ alpha-Chains
  • HLA-DQ beta-Chains
  • HLA-DR Antigens / genetics*
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / genetics
  • Humans
  • Morocco / ethnology
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Population

Substances

  • HLA-DQ Antigens
  • HLA-DQ alpha-Chains
  • HLA-DQ beta-Chains
  • HLA-DQA1 antigen
  • HLA-DQB1 antigen
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains
  • HLA-DRB1*03:01 antigen
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • DNA