major histocompatibility complex, class II, DQ alpha 1

Normal function

A HLA-DQA1 gene provides instructions for making a protein that plays a critical role in the immune system. The HLA-DQA1 gene is part of a family of genes called the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex. The HLA complex helps the immune system distinguish the body's own proteins from proteins made by foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria.

The HLA complex is the human version of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a gene family that occurs in many species. The HLA-DQA1 gene belongs to a group of MHC genes called MHC class II. MHC class II genes provide instructions for making proteins that are present on the surface of certain immune system cells. These proteins attach to protein fragments (peptides) outside the cell. MHC class II proteins display these peptides to the immune system. If the immune system recognizes the peptides as foreign (such as viral or bacterial peptides), it triggers a response to attack the invading viruses or bacteria.

The protein produced from the HLA-DQA1 gene attaches (binds) to the protein produced from another MHC class II gene, HLA-DQB1. Together, they form a functional protein complex called an antigen-binding DQαβ heterodimer. This complex displays foreign peptides to the immune system to trigger the body's immune response.

Each MHC class II gene has many possible variations, allowing the immune system to react to a wide range of foreign invaders. Researchers have identified hundreds of different versions (alleles) of the HLA-DQA1 gene, each of which is given a particular number (such as HLA-DQA1*05:01).

Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome

• Narcolepsia

• Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy

• Artrite idiopática juvenil

• Celiac disease

• Diabetes tipo 1

• Autoimmune Addison disease

• Alopecia areata

• Rosácea

Other names

DC-1 alpha chain

DC-alpha

DQ-A1

FLJ27088

FLJ27328

GSE

HLA class II histocompatibility antigen, DQ alpha 1 chain

HLA class II histocompatibility antigen, DQ alpha 1 chain precursor

HLA class II histocompatibility antigen, DQ(W3) alpha chain

HLA-DCA

HLA-DQA

leucocyte antigen DQA1

leukocyte antigen alpha chain

MGC149527

MHC class II antigen

MHC class II DQA1

MHC class II HLA-D alpha glycoprotein

MHC class II HLA-DQ-alpha-1

MHC class II surface glycoprotein

MHC HLA-DQ alpha