HLA CLASS-I AND CLASS-II ALLELE DISTRIBUTION IN THE BUBI POPULATION FROM THE ISLAND OF BIOKO (EQUATORIAL-GUINEA)

We determined the HLA frequency distribution in a sample of 100 Bubi i ndividuals born on the island of Bioko (Equatorial Guinea). HLA-A, -B and -C typing was performed by serology and PCR-SSP. DRB1/3/4/5, DQB1 and DQA1 alleles were determined by PCR-SSOP. The HLA allele distribut ion of this population group resembles those found in other Bantu-spea king groups; however, the higher frequency of A30, A32, B44, DRB11301 in the Bubi with respect to other Bantu groups and the absence of DR4 deserve special mention. The cloning and sequencing of class I and II genes in this population allowed the description of five new allelic variants: B4407, Cw*0706, Cw*1801, Cw*1802 and DQB1*0612 and five con firmatory sequences: B3910, B*5703, B*8101, Cw*1203 and Cw*1701. The following new HLA-C,B haplotypes have been found in Bubi: Cw08-B*57, Cw18-B*57, Cw*0302-B*53, Cw*07-B*53 and Cw*1601-B*63. The most freque nt seven-locus haplotype is: -Cw17-B*42-DRB1*1102-DRB3*0202-DQA1*05-D QB10301. In terms of genetic distance, the Bubi are closer to other B antu groups than to West African populations.