Distribution of the HLA-DRB1 Specificities in Populations of the Volga–Ural Region

Abstract

Polymorphism at the HLA-DRB1 locus in six Turkic (Bashkirs, Tatars, and Chuvashes) and Finno-Ugric (Udmurts, Maris, and Komis) populations of the Volga–Ural region was studied by PCR. A total of 12 DRB1 specificities displaying population-specific frequency distribution patterns were described. The most frequently observed specificities in Bashkirs and Udmurts were DRB1*07 (25 and 34%, respectively) and *15 (by 15%). In Tatars the prevalence of *04 (18%), *01 (17%), *07 (16%), and *15 (13%) specificities was observed, while in Chuvashes these were *04 (28%), *11 (18%), *01 (16%), and *07 (16%). High frequencies of *11 (21%),*04 (17%), *01 (13%), and *07 (13%) specificities were characteristic of Komis, whereas Maris were distinguished by high frequencies of *01 (23%), *11 (14%), *07 (13%), and *04 (11%). In general, the pattern of DRB1 allelic polymorphism in populations of the Volga–Ural region, occupying the intermediate position between the Caucasoid- and Mongoloid-specific allelic frequency distribution patterns, was consistent with their anthropological type rather than with their linguistic affiliation.