HLA-F represents one of the nonclassical MHC class I molecules in humans. Its main characteristics involve low levels of polymorphism in combination with a restricted tissue distribution. This signals that the gene product executes a specialised function, which, however, is still poorly understood. Relatively little is known about the evolutionary equivalents of this gene in nonhuman primates, especially with regard to population data. Here we report a comparative genetic analysis of the orthologous genes of HLA-F in various great ape, Old World monkey (OWM), and New World monkey (NWM) species. HLA-F-related transcripts were found in all subjects studied. Low levels of polymorphism were encountered, although the length of the predicted gene products may vary. In most species, one or two transcripts were discovered, indicating the presence of only one active F-like gene per chromosome. An exception was provided by a New World monkey species, namely, the common marmoset. In this species, the gene has been subject to duplication, giving rise to up to six F-like transcripts per animal. In humans, great apes, and OWM, and probably the majority of the NWM species, the evolutionary equivalents of the HLA-F gene experienced purifying selection. In the marmoset, however, the gene was initially duplicated, but the expansion was subjected afterwards to various mechanisms of genetic inactivation, as evidenced by the presence of pseudogenes and an array of genetic artefacts in a section of the transcripts.

HLA-F代表人类中非经典的MHC I类分子之一。其主要特征包括低水平的多态性和有限的组织分布。这表明基因产物执行特定的功能，然而，其仍知之甚少。对于该基因在非人类灵长类动物中的进化等效物知之甚少，尤其是在种群数据方面。在这里，我们报告了在各种大猿，旧世界的猴子（OWM）和新世界的猴子（NWM）物种中HLA-F直系同源基因的比较遗传分析。在所有研究对象中均发现了HLA-F相关的转录本。尽管预测的基因产物的长度可能有所不同，但遇到的多态性水平较低。在大多数物种中，发现了一两个转录物，表明每个染色体仅存在一个活跃的F样基因。新世界猴种，即普通mar猴提供了一个例外。在该物种中，该基因已被复制，每只动物最多产生六个F样转录物。在人类，大猿和OWM中，以及可能在大多数NWM物种中，HLA-F基因的进化等价物经历了纯化选择。然而，在the猴中，该基因最初是被复制的，但是随后该扩增经历了多种基因失活机制，如转录本部分中存在假基因和一系列遗传假象所证明。该基因已被复制，每只动物最多产生六个F样转录物。在人类，大猿和OWM中，以及可能在大多数NWM物种中，HLA-F基因的进化等价物经历了纯化选择。然而，在the猴中，该基因最初是被复制的，但是随后该扩增经历了多种基因失活机制，如转录本部分中存在假基因和一系列遗传假象所证明。该基因已被复制，每只动物最多产生六个F样转录物。在人类，大猿和OWM中，以及可能在大多数NWM物种中，HLA-F基因的进化等价物经历了纯化选择。然而，在the猴中，该基因最初是被复制的，但是随后该扩增经历了多种基因失活机制，如转录本部分中存在假基因和一系列遗传假象所证明。