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  3. HLA-A

HLA-A (Major histocompatibility complex, class I, A)

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Summary of HLA-A

Human Leucocyte Antigen-A (HLA-A) is associated with the immune system; it is activated specifically by T-cells (a type of white blood cells) [R].

Its main function is to express the receptors on cells, especially T-cells (fighter white blood cells) which helps them recognize foreign particles when they enter our body and fight them away in an immune response [R]. This gene helps to express receptors that can identify the dangerous particle or germ (pathogen) in the body and alert our immune system [R].

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The Function of HLA-A

Involved in the presentation of foreign antigens to the immune system.

Protein names

Recommended name:

HLA class I histocompatibility antigen, A-66 alpha chain

Alternative name(s):

Aw-66
HLA class I histocompatibility antigen, A-10 alpha chain
MHC class I antigen A*66

HLA-A SNPs

    To see your genotype, you should be logged in and have a file with your genotype uploaded.

  1. RS1052693 (HLA-A) ??
  2. RS1061235 (HLA-A) ??
  3. RS16896742 (HLA-A) ??
  4. RS2517713 (HLA-A) ??
  5. RS2523946 (HLA-A) ??
  6. RS2524005 (HLA-A) ??
  7. RS2571391 (HLA-A) ??
  8. RS2860580 (HLA-A) ??
  9. RS3823355 (HLA-A) ??
  10. RS3893464 (HLA-A) ??
  11. RS6935053 (HLA-A) ??
  12. RS9260489 (HLA-A) ??

Top Gene-Substance Interactions

HLA-A Interacts with These Diseases

Disease Score

Substances That Increase HLA-A

Substances Interaction Organism Category

Substances That Decrease HLA-A

Substances Interaction Organism Category

Advanced Summary

Human Leucocyte Antigen-A Associated with the immune system it is activated specifically by T-cells ( a type of white blood cells). [R] HLA-A is a class I gene which means that it is a basic and simpler group of many genes associated with human leucocyte antigen which is related to our immune system and its expression on cells. [R]

Its main function is to express the receptors on cells, especially T-cells (fighter white blood cells) which helps them recognize foreign particles when they enter our body and fight them away in an immune response. [R]

This gene helps to express receptors that can identify the dangerous particle or germ (pathogen) in the body and alert our immune system. [R] Since it activates the immune system it plays a role in organ rejection after transplant which is minimized if the HLA-A of donor and receiver matches. [R]

Alteration of HLA-A in any form can change expression on cells which can either result in increased susceptibility to a disease or decreased susceptibility to a certain disease (Daniel M. Davis (2014). The Compatibility Gene. How Our Bodies Fight Disease, Attract Others, and Define OurSelves. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-931641-4.)

Since there are many alleles of the HLA-A gene, a study in China found that while one allele can decrease risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma the other can certainly support its existence and prevalence in the body. Diseases associated with HLA-A gene alleles include Alzheimers, AIDS, and spontaneous abortion mainly. It may also trigger type 1 Diabetes. [R]

This is because if this gene activity is suppressed or its sequences are altered then the immune system suppresses or fails to identify a danger in case of AIDS which leads to the disease (Cohen GB, Gandhi RT, Davis DM, Mandelboim O, Chen BK, Strominger JL, Baltimore D (June 1999).

This gene might possibly play a role in Alzheimers. [R] As for the spontaneous abortion, the HLA-A which doesn't trigger the immune response toward the fetus may alter to do so and identify it as foreign invasion with different and non-familiar HLA-A representation causing body's immune system to attack it leading to abortion.

Switching on the gene will speed up and boost up the immune system and activity decreasing susceptibility to most diseases and enabling body immune system to fight HIV. [R] Moreover, switching it off in patients with major organ transplant will minimize or even end the risk of organ rejection by the body's immune system until the organ cells adapt to body immune representation and expression so the HLA-A will not treat it as a danger to the body. [R]

     Covered on Genetics Home Reference: juvenile idiopathic arthritisFrom NCBI Gene: Susceptibility to severe cutaneous adverse reaction

     From NCBI Gene: HLA-A belongs to the HLA class I heavy chain paralogues. This class I molecule is a heterodimer consisting of a heavy chain and a light chain (beta-2 microglobulin). The heavy chain is anchored in the membrane. Class I molecules play a central role in the immune system by presenting peptides derived from the endoplasmic reticulum lumen. They are expressed in nearly all cells. The heavy chain is approximately 45 kDa and its gene contains 8 exons. Exon 1 encodes the leader peptide, exons 2 and 3 encode the alpha1 and alpha2 domains, which both bind the peptide, exon 4 encodes the alpha3 domain, exon 5 encodes the transmembrane region, and exons 6 and 7 encode the cytoplasmic tail. Polymorphisms within exon 2 and exon 3 are responsible for the peptide binding specificity of each class one molecule. Typing for these polymorphisms is routinely done for bone marrow and kidney transplantation. Hundreds of HLA-A alleles have been described. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008] From UniProt: 1A01_HUMAN: Involved in the presentation of foreign antigens to the immune system. From UniProt: 1A03_HUMAN: Involved in the presentation of foreign antigens to the immune system.

Conditions with Increased Gene Activity

Condition Change (log2fold) Comparison Species Experimental variables Experiment name

Conditions with Decreased Gene Activity

Condition Change (log2fold) Comparison Species Experimental variables Experiment name

Technical

The following transcription factors affect gene expression:

  • NF-kappaB
  • p53
  • AP-1
  • c-Jun
  • NF-kappaB1
  • c-Fos
  • IRF-1

Gene Pathways:

  • Immune System
  • Autoimmune thyroid disease
  • Natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity
  • Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs)
  • Allograft rejection
  • Antigen processing and presentation
  • Graft-versus-host disease
  • Phagosome
  • Type I diabetes mellitus
  • Viral myocarditis

Molecular Function:

  • Beta-2-Microglobulin Binding
  • Peptide Antigen Binding
  • Tap Binding
  • Poly(A) Rna Binding
  • Receptor Binding
  • T Cell Receptor Binding

Biological Processes:

  • Antigen Processing And Presentation Of Exogenous Peptide Antigen Via Mhc Class I, Tap-Dependent
  • Antigen Processing And Presentation Of Exogenous Peptide Antigen Via Mhc Class I, Tap-Independent
  • Antigen Processing And Presentation Of Peptide Antigen Via Mhc Class I
  • Interferon-Gamma-Mediated Signaling Pathway
  • Regulation Of Immune Response
  • Type I Interferon Signaling Pathway
  • Viral Process
  • Protection From Natural Killer Cell Mediated Cytotoxicity
  • Detection Of Bacterium
  • Immune Response
  • Positive Regulation Of T Cell Mediated Cytotoxicity
  • Antigen Processing And Presentation
  • Antibacterial Humoral Response
  • Antigen Processing And Presentation Of Endogenous Peptide Antigen Via Mhc Class I
  • Antigen Processing And Presentation Of Endogenous Peptide Antigen Via Mhc Class I Via Er Pathway, Tap-Independent
  • Defense Response To Gram-Positive Bacterium
  • Positive Regulation Of Cd8-Positive, Alpha-Beta T Cell Activation
  • Positive Regulation Of Cd8-Positive, Alpha-Beta T Cell Proliferation
  • Positive Regulation Of Interferon-Gamma Production
  • Positive Regulation Of Memory T Cell Activation
  • Positive Regulation Of T Cell Cytokine Production
  • Regulation Of Defense Response To Virus By Virus
*synonyms

Synonyms/Aliases/Alternative Names of the Gene:

hlaa| HLA class I histocompatibility antigen, A-1 alpha chain| leukocyte antigen class I-A| MHC class I antigen| MHC class I antigen HLA-A heavy chain| uaa| hla-a

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