Sequence analysis of the mannose-binding lectin (MBL2) gene reveals a high degree of heterozygosity with evidence of selection

Human mannose-binding protein (MBL) is a component of innate immunity. To capture the common genetic variants of MBL2, we resequenced a 10.0 kb region that includes MBL2 in 102 individuals representing four major US ethnic groups. In all, 87 polymorphic sites were observed, indicating a high level of heterozygosity (total π=18.3 × 10−4). Estimates of linkage disequilibrium across MBL2 indicate that it is divided into two blocks, with a probable recombination hot spot in the 3′ end. Three non-synonymous SNPs in exon 1 of the encoding MBL2 gene and three upstream SNPs form common ‘secretor haplotypes’ that can predict circulating levels. Common variants have been associated with increased susceptibility to infection and autoimmune diseases. The high frequencies of B, C and D alleles in certain populations suggest a possible selective advantage for heterozygosity. There is limited diversity of haplotype structure; the ‘secretor haplotypes’ lie on a restricted number of extended haplotypes, which could include additional linked SNPs, which might also have possible functional implications. There is evidence for gene conversion in the region between the two blocks, in the last exon. Our data should form the basis for conducting MBL2 candidate gene association studies using a locus-wide approach.