Correlation between an HLA-DQ alpha length polymorphism of messenger RNA and serologically defined specificities (DQw1, DRw53, DR3+5).

mRNAs for the two chains of the HLA-DQ molecule were analyzed, in particular the DQ alpha mRNA whose polymorphism had previously been suggested (Schenning et al. 1984). Northern blot transfers of the mRNA of 12 LCLs and of B lymphocytes from a healthy donor were carried out. We report that a length polymorphism of DQ alpha mRNA exists, and we show that it can be correlated with serologically defined specificities (DQw1, DRw53, DR3+5). This correlation could be explained by a linkage disequilibrium, as these specificities are considered to be different from those carried by the DQ molecule (except for the DQw1 specificity).