Abstract
Complement C4 is the only component coded for by two nearly identical isotypic genes, C4A and C4B. The C4 genes are located tandemly arranged each with a steroid 21-hydroxylase (CYP21) gene at its 3′ end, together with the genes for C2 and factor B in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class III gene region between HLA-B and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR (1). C4 polymorphism can be defined at three levels: (i) at the genomic level regarding the gene structure and the number of C4 genes; (ii) at the DNA sequence level by determining variability in the coding sequence, as well as by analyzing restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in introns and flanking regions; (iii) at the protein level by electrophoretic and serological methods to distinguish C4 isotypes and allotypes.
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Schneider, P.M., Mauff, G. (2003). Complement C4 Protein and DNA Typing Methods. In: Powis, S.H., Vaughan, R.W. (eds) MHC Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 210. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-291-0:269
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-291-0:269
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