Comparison of amino acid sequences of two human histocompatibility antigens, HLA-A2 and HLA-B7: location of putative alloantigenic sites

The complete amino acid sequence for papain-solubilized HLA-B7 heavy chain is compared with the partial sequences of HLA-A2 and H-2Kb heavy chains. Although these molecules are highly conserved (i.e., 80% homology in comparing HLA-B7 with HLA-A2; 72% and 74% homology in comparing H-2Kb with HLA-A2 and HLA-B7, respectively), two stretches of greater variability are observed. These clusters of variability are discussed in terms of their possible involvement in the alloantigenic determinant(s) characteristic of these highly polymorphic membrane antigens.