HLA-A
Description
The HLA-A gene, located on chromosome 6, encodes a protein that plays a crucial role in the immune system. It‘s part of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I, responsible for presenting antigens to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). These CTLs, upon recognizing foreign antigens, initiate an immune response to eliminate infected or cancerous cells. HLA-A is highly polymorphic, meaning it exists in many different variations, contributing to the diversity of immune responses in individuals.
Associated Diseases
- Autoimmune diseases: Rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Psoriasis, Inflammatory bowel disease
- Cancer: Increased risk of certain cancers like melanoma and Hodgkin‘s lymphoma
- Transplant rejection: Mismatched HLA-A alleles between donor and recipient can lead to organ rejection
Did you know?
The HLA-A gene is one of the most polymorphic genes known, with over 10,000 different alleles identified.
