DNA sequence variability of IGHG3 alleles associated to the main G3m haplotypes in human populations.

The present study investigates the molecular basis of the G3m polymorphism expressed by the heavy constant domains of human immunoglobulins gamma 3 chains. By using a new protocol allowing the specific cloning of IGHG3 genes, a total of 51 full-length IGHG3 genomic sequences (about 2 kb) isolated from African, Siberian, West Asian and European population samples were sequenced. IGHG3 sequences were assigned precise G3m haplotypes on the basis of specific associations between G3m allotypes and IGHG3 RFLPs.

Immunoglobulin lambda light chain orphons on human chromosome 8q11.2.

We have identified two V lambda genes outside the major lambda locus on chromosome 22q11.2, and shown that they reside on chromosome 8q11.2.

The IGHG3 gene shows a structural polymorphism characterized by different hinge lengths: sequence of a new 2-exon hinge gene.

Four of the five human IGHG genes (G1, GP, G2, and G4) display a hinge region consisting of a unique exon. In contrast, IGHG3 exhibits a different structure in which the hinge is constituted by four or, less frequently, three exons. We report here the nucleotide sequence of a new 2-exon hinge G3 gene found in a Mandenka individual from Eastern Senegal.

DNA analysis of the immunoglobulin IGHG loci in a Mandenka population from eastern Senegal: correlation with Gm haplotypes and hypotheses for the evolution of the Ig CH region.

This study presents restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and serological analyses of the immunoglobulin CH loci in a sample of 100 individuals from a Senegalese Mandenka population. The RFLP variability is mostly the result of large DNA insertions or deletions in the non-coding flanking regions of the IGHG genes, and to variable number of tandem repeat-like patterns within their 5'-switch sequences. However, part of the IGHG3 polymorphism also corresponds to a variable number of exons coding for the flexible hinge segment of the IgG3 antibody (the 4-exon and 3-exon forms, and a newly described 2-exon form).

New data for AG haplotype frequencies in Caucasoid populations and selective neutrality of the AG polymorphism.

We present the results of AG antigen typings of three Caucasoid population samples: Lebanese, Tunisians, and Finns. AG haplotype frequencies estimated by maximum-likelihood methods are compared with the frequencies observed in 13 world populations previously tested for AG specificities by computing a genetic distance matrix used in a multivariate analysis. A high degree of polymorphism characterizes the three samples, with 10 haplotypes detected in the Lebanese and 11 haplotypes detected in the Tunisians and Finns; high heterozygosity levels are also present in the three populations.

[Polymorphism of HLA class I loci HLA-A, -B, -C, in the Mandenka population from eastern Senegal].

A sample of 162 Mandenkalu from Eastern Senegal has been typed for three HLA class I loci: HLA-A, -B and -C. The Mandenka population presents a very high genetic variability with 15 alleles for locus A, 24 alleles for locus B, and at least 8 alleles for locus C. The calculated heterozygosities for the three loci A, B, and C are respectively 0.