HLA-DR Antigen

**Semantic type:** Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein|Immunologic Factor

**Definition:** Encoded by multiple HLA-DRA and HLA-DRB genes in a complex variable 5 cM region of MHC between HLA-B and -D, HLA-DR Antigens are Class II histocompatibility transmembrane glycoprotein heterodimers of alpha (heavy, 35-kD) and beta (light, 27-kD) chains. Located predominantly on B cells and macrophages, HLA-DR antigens function in antigen presentation to regulatory T cells in the immune response and in self/nonself discrimination. Invariant alpha and polymorphic beta chains have glycosylated N-termini, hydrophobic membrane regions, and hydrophilic C-termini. The heterodimer consists of 4 extracellular domains; invariant alpha-1, polymorphic N-terminal beta-1, and conserved Ig-like alpha-2 and beta-2. Alpha-1 and alpha-2 contain disulfide loops. Beta-1 contains 2 small variable regions. Alpha sequences have relatively simple structure; beta chains carry the major polymorphic determinants.

**Synonyms:** - HLA-DR - HLA-DR - HLA-DR - Human Leukocyte Antigen - DR Isotype - Human Leukocyte Antigen-DR Isotype