Nucleotide sequence of an HLA-DQ alpha chain derived from a DRw9 cell line: genetic and evolutionary implications

Three families of human Ia molecules, DP, DQ, and DR, have previously been defined. A cDNA clone, pDSH-9.1, encoding the alpha chain of a DQ molecule derived from an HLA-DRw9 homozygous cell line has been isolated and sequenced. Comparison of the nucleotide and predicted protein sequence to those of other DQ alpha subunits reveals that DQ alpha subunits derived from DR4, -7, and -9 cells are very similar to each other but quite different from a DQ alpha subunit derived from a DRw6 cell line. These studies suggest that certain Ia haplotypes have a common evolutionary history. Furthermore, in the context of current serologic and biochemical knowledge, they suggest that the gene encoding the DQ alpha subunit is in strong linkage disequilibrium with the DR locus.