The extent of genetic variation in the CCR5 gene

We have determined the sequence of the coding domain of CCR5 in 250 normal subjects from five ethnic groups, using PCR combined with the BODIPY dye-primer chemistry. This method provided a highly accurate base composition assessment at every nucleotide position, with clear detection of mixed bases. A total of eight nucleotide sequence variants were identified, of which seven resulted in altered CCR5 amino acid sequence. All the sequence variations were confirmed by sequencing of both strands. Except for the Delta 32 allele, no other sequence variation was found in the American Caucasians.