MULTIPLE ALLELES

Genes which have more than two alleles

2007 Paul Billiet ODWS

Genes and their alleles

About 30% of the genes in humans are di-allelic, that is they exist in two forms, (they have two alleles) About 70% are mono-allelic, they only exist in one form and they show no variation A very few are poly-allelic having more than two forms

2007 Paul Billiet ODWS

Combinations
Di-allelic genes can generate 3 genotypes Genes with 3 alleles can generate 6 genotypes (3+2+1) Genes with 4 alleles can generate 10 genotypes Genes with 8 alleles can generate 36 genotypes

2007 Paul Billiet ODWS

Genes and the immune system

Poly-allelic alleles are usually associated with tissue types These genes are so varied that they provide us with our genetic finger print This is very important to our immune system which must tell the difference between our own cells (self) and invading disease causing microbes (non-self)

2007 Paul Billiet ODWS

The ABO blood system

This is a controlled by a tri-allelic gene It can generate 6 genotypes The alleles control the production of antigens on the surface of the red blood cells Two of the alleles are codominant to one another and both are dominant over the third Allele IA produces antigen A Allele IB produces antigen B Allele i produces no antigen

2007 Paul Billiet ODWS

The ABO blood system

Genotypes IA IA IA IB IAi Phenotypes (Blood types) A AB A

IB IB IBi ii

B B O

Note: Blood types A and B have two possible genotypes homozygous and heterozygous. Blood types AB and O only have one genotype each.
2007 Paul Billiet ODWS

Blood types and transfusions

Blood types vary and your immune system recognises your own blood type as being self Other blood types are recognised as non-self If a blood which is incompatible with your body is transfused it will result in the agglutination of the foreign red blood cells

2007 Paul Billiet ODWS

Antigens

Bioformatica

Biology Labs Online

Agglutination

Dr Delphine Grzel, Ecole Nationale Vtrinaire de Lyon

Blood types and transfusions

People who are Type A blood produce antibodies to agglutinate cells which carry Type B antigens They recognise them as non-self The opposite is true for people who are Type B Neither of these people will agglutinate blood cells which are Type O Type O cells do not carry any antigens for the ABO system Type O cells pass incognito What about type AB people?

2007 Paul Billiet ODWS

Donor-recipient compatibility
Recipient Type A Donor B AB O Note: Type O blood may be transfused into all = Agglutination the other types = the universal donor. Type AB blood can receive blood from = Safe transfusion all the other blood types = the universal recipient.
2007 Paul Billiet ODWS

AB