HLA-DQ-ALPHA ALLELE AND GENOTYPE FREQUENCIES IN VARIOUS HUMAN-POPULATIONS, DETERMINED BY USING ENZYMATIC AMPLIFICATION AND OLIGONUCLEOTIDE PROBES

Abstract

Allele and genotype frequencies at the HLA-D.alpha. locus have been determined by the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and nonradioactive oligonucleotide probes. The probes define six alleles and 21 genotypes in a dot-blot format. A total of over 1,400 individuals from 11 populations has been typed by two different laboratories using this method. In contrast to some variable-number-of-tandem-repeat markers that have been used for identity determination, DQ.alpha. genotype frequencies do not deviate significantly from Hard-Weinberg equilibrium in all populations studied. The distribution of alleles varies significantly between most of these populations. In Caucasians, the allele frequencies range from 4.3% to 28.5%. In this population, the power of discrimination is .94, and, for paternity determination, the power of exclusion is .642. These population data will allow the use of the HLA-DQ.alpha. marker in paternity determination, the analysis of individual identity in forensic samples, and anthropological studies.