[A Simple and Rapid Method for Determining a 32-bp Deletion in the Gene for the Chemokine Receptor CCR5]

In recent studies, a 32-bp deletion in the coding region of the chemokine receptor gene CCP5 was reported, which completely blocked penetration of the HIV-I virus into lymphocytes and macrophages. We developed a simple and rapid method for determining this deletion. The use of this method can greatly accelerate the evaluation of the frequency of the deletion allele CCP5 delta 32 in various populations and the determination of genotypes for the locus CCP5 in HIV-infected individuals. CCP5 was genotyped in three populations from Eastern Europe (Russians, Belarussians, and Bashkirs). Frequencies of the allele CCP5 delta 32 in these populations did not significantly differ from those in white Americans and Europeans from the CEPH sample. Even in Bashkiria, with its clear Turkic contribution, the frequency of CCP5 delta 32 reaches 0.10.