Molecular analysis of the structure and expression of the RH locus in individuals with D--, Dc-, and DCw- gene complexes.

Rh blood group antigens of the D, C/c, and E/e series are carried by at least three red cell membrane polypeptides encoded by two highly related genes, RHD and RHCE. Homozygous individuals carrying the D--, Dc-, and DCw- gene complexes are characterized by a total or partial lack of expression of the RHCE-encoded antigens. Analysis of the molecular genetic basis of these rare conditions indicates that complete or partial expression defect of Cc/Ee antigens result from different alterations at the RH locus, but not from gross deletions. No rearrangement or mutation of the RHCE gene could be detected in donors homozygous for the D-- complex, suggesting that the lack of the Cc and Ee antigens might result from a reduced transcriptional activity of the RHCE gene. The Dc- and DCw- gene complexes, however, exhibited an important rearrangement of the RHCE gene. Instead of the normal RHCE gene, both variants carried a hybrid RHCE-D-CE gene in which exons 4 to 9 (Dc- complex) and 2 (or 3) to 9 (DCw- complex) of the RHCE gene, respectively, have been substituted by the equivalent region of the RHD gene. These gene conversion events provide an explanation for the well-described abnormal antigen profiles associated with the Dc- and DCw- complexes, like the increased expression of RhD, the reduced expression of RhC/c or RhCw, and the absence of RhE/e.