What does the map of the HLA region look like?
• The segment of the small arm of chromosome 6 that contains the HLA complex is shown in detail in the HLA map to the right (click the image to see a larger version). The first bar shows the division of the complex into class I, II, and III regions. The ruler indicates number of kilobases. The gene map shows the approximate positions of the gene loci mentioned in the text. Bars to the right show expressed genes and to the left, pseudogenes (not expressed). In bold are shown the genes coding for the heavy chain of the classical class I molecules and the alpha and beta chains of the class II molecules. Class I region: HLA-A, -B, and -C code for the heavy chain of the MHC class I molecules expressed on most cells. HLA-F, -G and -E code for the heavy chain of non-classical class I genes, with highly specialized functions. The MIC genes or human MHC class I chain-related genes encode stress inducible proteins, implicated in the regulation of NK cell activity. HFE is a class I-like gene loca
