HUMAN FACTOR-B - COMPLETE CDNA SEQUENCE OF THE BF-ASTERISK-S ALLELE

The gene of human complement factor B (BF) is located within the class III region of the major histocompatibility complex. The knowledge of the coding sequence of the BF gene rests on a set of partial sequence studies reported by various sources, and full-length sequences ascribe d to specific alleles of this polymorphic complement component have no t yet been published. Now, we have isolated and sequenced a collection of cDNA clones derived from BFS, the major BF allele. We present an uninterrupted, allele-specific sequence of the entire coding region an d the 3' untranslated segment of the cDNA. Extensive comparison of thi s and previously available sequence data was carried out, and a number of base substitutions were observed in relation to some of the earlie r sequences. The possibility that these differences arise from polymor phism in the BF gene is discussed.