THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C AND HLA-DR, HLA-DQ DNA TYPING TO THE STUDY OF THE ORIGINS OF SPANIARDS AND BASQUES

The high polymorphism of the HLA system has been used as a powerful ge netic tool to single out individuals and populations. By studying char acteristic allele frequencies and extended HLA haplotypes in different populations, it is possible to identify ethnic groups and establish t he genetic relationships among them. In the present study, HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR and -DQ typing at the serological/antigenic and the DNA level has been used for the first time to assign specific HLA frequencies an d haplotypes to Spaniards and Basques and compare them with frequencie s in other populations, particularly with North Africans. Allelic freq uencies do not significantly differ between Spaniards and Basques. HLA genetic distances and their respective dendrogram together with the r esults on complete HLA haplotypes place Basques and Spaniards closer t o paleo-North African populations than to other Europeans. This goes i n favour of the Basques being a relative genetic isolate coming from t he primitive Iberian/paleo-North African people. In addition, a tentat ive assignment of the most common Spanish HLA haplotypes to the differ ent people who populated Iberia according to historical records has be en done.