Novel HLA-B alleles identified in potential marrow donors: B*3917, B*1405 and B*3528

Sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe hybridization and sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ty-ping of volunteer bone marrow do nors suggested the presence of variants of known HLA-B alleles in five indi viduals. PCR products encompassing HLA-B locus exons 1 through 3 were prepa red and subcloned. Three African-American individuals had a novel HLA-B*39 allele (B*3917), and another African-American was found to have a novel HLA -B*14 allele (B*1405). In a third individual of Hispanic origin, a novel HL A-B*35 allele (B*3528) was identified. These findings further illustrate th e substantial genetic variation present at the HLA-B locus within human pop ulations.