Open Access
Long-range multilocus haplotype phasing of the MHC
Author(s) -
Zhen Guo,
Leroy Hood,
Mari Malkki,
Effie W. Petersdorf
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.0602286103
Subject(s) - haplotype , genetics , human leukocyte antigen , biology , major histocompatibility complex , locus (genetics) , allele , snp , single nucleotide polymorphism , gene , genotype , antigen
Haplotypes are a powerful tool for identifying the genetic basis of common complex diseases. Disease-association mapping requires molecular methods for haplotyping biallelic SNP variation and highly complex polymorphisms. We developed a method for phasing HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 alleles on chromosome 6 in unrelated individuals. This method uses the highly polymorphic HLA-B locus to discriminate the two HLA haplotypes in heterozygous individuals and its ideal location 1.4 Mbp telomeric to HLA-DRB1 and 1.2 Mbp centromeric to HLA-A to capture 2-Mbp-long genomic DNA. Genomic DNA representing a single HLA-B-captured haplotype is genotyped for HLA-A and HLA-DRB1 alleles and linkage to HLA-B is established. Proof of principle was established in a large blinded study of phase-known samples. Availability of an efficient method for MHC haplotype phase determination will facilitate the mapping of causative MHC-resident genes in many human diseases and has the potential to be broadened to other polymorphic gene complexes.