Variation in the nucleotide sequence of the B2 high-sulfur protein gen
es has not been reported previously. This paper reports 15 nucleotide
substitutions in each of the genes for the B2A and B2C proteins and a
length of polymorphism in the B2A gene which translates to the inserti
on/deletion of one 30-nucleotide repeat sequence. Evidence is presente
d for gene conversion occurring within the B2 high-sulfur multigene fa
mily. These DNA polymorphisms may account for some of the microheterog
eneity observed in the B2 high-sulfur proteins and may also be useful
genetic markers of the B2 high-sulfur protein gene loci for future use
in analysing wool fibre characteristics.