HLA-DR beta genes vary in number between different DR specificities, whereas the number of DQ beta genes is constant.

Probes isolated from DR and DQ beta cDNA and genomic clones were used in hybridizations to restriction enzyme-digested DNA from human homozygous typing cells (HTC) as well as other DR homozygous cells in order to estimate the number of beta genes in the DR/DQ class II region. Varying numbers of DR beta genes were found in HTC of different DR specificities, from possibly one in DR 8 cells to three in cells of DR 2 to 7. The DR beta genes of different specificities seem to be related to one another in a distinct fashion. In contrast, all HTC contain two DQ beta genes per chromosome. The restriction site polymorphism of DQ beta genes is considerably more extensive than that of DQ serology, although one of the genes seems to be nonpolymorphic. In addition to the two DP beta genes identified previously, a minimum of three to five DQ and DR beta genes exist in the human haploid genome.