HLA class I and class II allele distribution in the Bubi population from the island of Bioko (Equatorial Guinea)

• Published in: Tissue antigens Vol. 50; no. 6; pp. 593 - 601
• Main Authors: de Pablo, R., García-Pacheco, J.M., Vilches, C., Moreno, M.E., Sanz, L., Rementería, M.C., Puente, S., Kreisler, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.12.1997
• Subjects: African population; Alleles; Bantu; Bubi; Equatorial Guinea; Gene Frequency; Genes, MHC Class I; Genes, MHC Class II; HLA; HLA allele distribution; HLA-B Antigens - genetics; HLA-C Antigens - genetics; Humans; PCR; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Population; SSO; SSP; Equatorial Guinea
• ISSN: 0001-2815; 1399-0039
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.1997.tb02917.x

We determined the HLA frequency distribution in a sample of 100 Bubi individuals born on the island of Bioko (Equatorial Guinea). HLA‐A, ‐B and ‐C typing was performed by serology and PCR‐SSR DRB1/3/4/5, DQB1 and DQA1 alleles were determined by PCR‐SSOP. The HLA allele distribution of this population group resembles those found in other Bantuspeaking groups; however, the higher frequency of A30, A32, B44, DRB1*1301 in the Bubi with respect to other Bantu groups and the absence of DR4 deserve special mention. The cloning and sequencing of class I and II genes in this population allowed the description of five new allelic variants: B*4407, Cw*0706, Cw*1801, Cw*1802 and DQB1*0612 and five confirmatory sequences: B*3910, B*5703, B*8101, Cw*1203 and Cw*1701. The following new HLA‐C,B haplotypes have been found in Bubi: Cw*08B*57, Cw*18‐B*57, Cw*0302‐B*53, Cw*07‐B*53 and Cw*1601‐B*63. The most frequent seven‐locus haplotype is: A*30‐Cw*17‐B*42‐DRB1*1102DRB3*0202‐DQA1*05‐DQB1*0301. In terms of genetic distance, the Bubi are closer to other Bantu groups than to West African populations.