THE FREQUENCY OF ALLELE CCR5Δ32 IN A SERBIAN POPULATION

Background: The mutant CCR5 Delta 32 allele confers resistance to HIV infection. Several hypotheses regarding its origin and persistence in the human population have been proposed. It is assumed that the Delta 32 mutation was introduced in Northern or Eastern Europe and that it spread to the south. Although the frequency of CCR5 Delta 32 was determined in numerous European nations and regions, further data are needed to complete the puzzle of CCR5 Delta 32 distribution within the continent. Methods: To this end, CCR5 Delta 32 frequency was determined in a Serbian population (sample size 352). DNA was extracted from peripheral whole blood and polymerase chain reaction specific for CCR5 gene was performed. A reaction product of 263 bp was obtained from the wild-type CCR5 sequence and a product of 231 bp was obtained from the truncated CCR5 Delta 32 sequence. Results: Overall allele frequency of CCR5 Delta 32 is 4.55%; 0.57% of individuals in the examined population are homo zygous and 8.52% are heterozygous for CCR5 Delta 32. Conclusions: The determined frequency of the CCR5 Delta 32 allele in a Serbian population is unexpectedly low, considering ethnically related populations.