Nature of polymorphism in HLA-A, -B, and -C molecules

Diversity in 39 HLA-A, -B, and -C molecules is derived from 20 amino acid positions of high variability and 71 positions of low variability. Variation in the structurally homologous alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains is distinct and may correlate with partial segregation of peptide and T-cell receptor binding functions. Comparison of 15 HLA-A with 20 HLA-B molecules reveals considerable locus-specific character, due primarily to differences at polymorphic residues. The results indicate that genetic exchange between alleles of the same locus has been a more important mechanism in the generation of HLA-A, -B, and -C diversity than genetic exchange events between alleles of different loci.