Evolution in HLA-DRB1 and major histocompatibility complex class II haplotypes of Australian aborigines definition of a new DRB1 allele and distribution of DRB 1 gene frequencies

Abstract

The distribution of HLA-DRB1 alleles was studied in Australian aborigines from different parts of Australia. There were significant differences in the frequencies of DRB1*0412, 1409, and 1410 between the Central Desert and Yuendumu populations and the previously reported Cape York and Kimberley aboriginal populations. A new DRB 1 allele, DRB 1*1414, present at low frequency in the Central Desert population, was identified. DRB1*1414 appears to be closely related to DRB 1*1407 and is proposed to have arisen by intragenic recombination. A novel DR-DQ haplotype, DRB1*1402-DRB3*0101-DQA1*0501-DQB1*0402, was also identified. This haplotype may be ancestral to the DRB 1*1409-DQB 1*0402 haplotype p..