HLA-B新等位基因B*9534的测序分析及其单链扩增技术的建立

目的 分析HLA-B新等位基因HLA-B*9534的核苷酸序列,并建立HLA-B * 9534单链扩增技术.方法 采用商品化快速抽提试剂盒抽提标本基因组DNA,采用PCR技术扩增先证者HLA-B基因的第1～8外显子序列,PCR产物经双酶切后直接测序分析第2、3、4外显子.应用序列特异性引物PCR建立HLA-B*9534单链扩增技术,获得HLA-B*9534等位基因的单链产物,并对单链产物进行第2、3、4外显子测序分析.结果 先证者标本存在2个HLA-B等位基因,直接测序结果经软件分析显示与最接近的HLA-B*1518和B*4601组合存在1个碱基不匹配,即第593位A/G杂合.单链扩增技术将先证者等位基因分离后,测序得到两个等位基因为HLA-B*4601和HLA-B*9534.与最接近的HLA-B*1518的第2～4外显子序列相比,HLA-B*9534仅在第3外显子存在一个碱基的不同,即第593位A→G的改变,导致第174位氨基酸天冬酰胺改变为丝氨酸,该等位基因序列已递交GenBank(EU046491),并经世界卫生组织HLA命名委员会正式命名为HLA-B*9534.结论 发现一个新的HLA-B*9534等位基因,建立的HLA-B*9534单链扩增技术是可行的.     

中国人黏多糖贮积症ⅣA型家系GALNS基因新突变的鉴定

目的 研究黏多糖贮积症ⅣA型(mucopolysaccharidosis type ⅣA,MPS ⅣA)患者发病的分子遗传学机制,揭示其基因型与表现型的相互关系,为产前基因诊断等创造必要的前提条件.方法 采用尿糖胺聚糖(glycosaminoglycans,GAGs)定性检测法对疑似MPS ⅣA型的先证者进行初诊,然后采用PCR及扩增产物直接测序法对先证者及其家庭成员进行突变检测.在检出GALNS基因c.1567T＞G新突变后,先后建立XspⅠ酶切鉴定法和扩增阻碍突变系统(amplification refractory mutation system,ARMS)快速特异鉴定法,对随机采集的110名正常对照与先证者及其家庭成员的GALNS基因第14外显子进行序列分析,同时采用生物信息学方法对蛋白质二级、三级结构进行预测,以及直接测定患儿GALNS酶活性的方法,对该新突变进行致病性鉴定.结果 先证者尿检呈弱阳性GAGs(±),其GALNS基因第14外显子内存在杂合的c.1567T＞G终止密码突变,第4外显子存在杂合的c.374C＞T错义突变,为两种突变的复合杂合子.其妹突变类型与先证者完全相同,其母仅在第14外显子存在杂合的终止密码突变,为该病的携带者,其父仅在第4外显子存在杂合的错义突变,也为杂合子;第14外显子的PCR产物经XspⅠ酶切后,正常对照组切出28 bp、120 bp、399 bp 3条带,而患者和携带者的母亲均切出28 bp、120 bp、148 bp和399 bp 4条带;用ARMS特异引物扩增后,正常对照组均扩增阴性,而患者及携带者均扩增阳性;蛋白质二级、三级结构预测结果显示:c.1567T＞G变异导致终止密码(TAG)突变为谷氨酸(GAG),使多肽链延长了92个氨基酸残基,导致蛋白质二、三级结构发生明显改变,而正常对照无此变化.酶活性测定的结果显示:患者的GALNS酶活性仅为8.3 nmol/17 h/mg pr,明显低于正常值(正常参考值为41.9～92.1 nmol/17h/mg pr).结论 c.1567T＞G变异是一种新的致病性突变,是引起该家系患儿发病的根本原因.

Abstract：

Objective To study the molecular genetic mechanism of mucopolysaccharidosis type ⅣA(MPS ⅣA), and reveal the relationship between the genotype and phenotype, and provide a basis for prenatal gene diagnosis in the future. Methods A preliminary diagnosis was made by qualitative detection of urinary glycosaminoglycans of the suspected MPS ⅣA proband. Then, mutation detection was performed on the proband and her family members with PCR and direct sequencing of the PCR products. After a novel c.1567T＞G mutation was detected,XspⅠrestriction enzyme digestion and amplification refractory mutation system(ARMS) fast specific identification were established to analyze the sequences of exon 14 in GALNS gene, including 110 randomly selected healthy controls, the proband and other pedigree members. At the same time, bioinformatic approaches for protein secondary, tertiary structure prediction were applied to identify the novel pathologic mutation. Results The proband's urine GAGs test was a weak positive(±),and a c.1567T＞G heterozygous termination codon mutation in exon 14 and a c.374C＞T heterozygous missense mutation in exon 4 were found. The proband was compound heterozygous of the two mutations, so was her younger sister. Her mother was a carrier with only a c.1567T＞G heterozygous mutation in exon 14. Her father had a heterozygous mutation of c.374C>T in exon 4. After XspⅠrestriction enzyme digestion, healthy controls had three bands including 28 bp, 120 bp and 399 bp, while the proband and her mother had four bands consisting of 28 bp, 120 bp,148 bp and 399 bp. For amplification by ARMS specific primers, it was negative for the controls,while it was positive for the proband and the carrier. The results of protein secondary and tertiary structure prediction showed that the c.1567T＞G mutation located in the stop codon, resulted in stop codon (TAG) changing to glutamic acid (GAG), with the peptide chain extending 92 amino acid residues, and secondary and tertiary protein structure change, which were not found in the controls. The result of enzyme assay showed that the activity of GALNS enzyme in the affected child was 8.3 nmol/17h/mg pr, which was obviously lower than the normal value (the normal range is 41.9-92.1 nmol/17h/mg pr). Conclusion These results illustrate that the c.1567 T＞G is a novel pathologic mutation, which is the main cause of the disease in this family.     

视网膜色素变性隐性遗传致病基因PDE6B的突变分析

目的 了解常染色体隐性遗传视网膜色素变性(autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa，ARRP)致病基因磷酸二酯酶β亚单位(phosphodiesterase β subunit,PDE6B)基因在中国视网膜色素变性(retinitis pigmentosa，RP)患者中的突变谱及突变率。方法 应用聚合酶链反应—单链构象多态性，对收集的35个常染色体隐性RP家系38例患者和55例散发RP患者进行PDE6B基因的22个外显子和5’端非翻译区突变筛选；对有变异条带者进行DNA序列分析。结果 测得一个常染色体隐性家系患者PDE6B基因第11外显子5’端上游第19位碱基(第10内含子内)发生G→A转换。1例散发RP患者同时检测到第6外显子第2492位点碱基T颠换为C和第10外显子5’端上游(第9内含子内)第27—28碱基之间有两个碱基TG插入。另两例散发RP患者分别发现第4外显子5’端上游30—31碱基处两个碱基GT插入和第18外显子3’端下游第15个碱基发生G→C颠换。结论 发现1名中国人的散发RP患者携带RP致病基因PDE6B基因的一种复合杂合突变。中国人的PDE6B基因内含子有多种变异。     

A novel mutation in exon b (R259C) of the MTM1 gene is associated with a mild myotubular myopathy. Mutation in brief no. 125. Online

The genetic basis of the relatively mild myopathic symptoms exhibited in a male was investigated. Mutation screening of a candidate gene, MTM1, represented a chance of establishing the molecular defect and the mode of inheritance. SSCA detected variation of the exon b PCR products from the proband and his mother, compared to that observed upon analysis of the PCR products from other members of the family and 159 unrelated X chromosomes. Sequencing revealed a C775 to T transition, in the proband and his mother, but not in his unaffected brother. To confirm the presence of a base change in this region, a Cfol site was introduced into the PCR product of the wildtype allele by using the forward primer 5'-AGAAAATAAGACGGTCATTGcG-3' (mismatch base in small font) with the exon b reverse primer as used by Laporte et al (1996). Analysis of DNA from other members of the family using this method revealed that this is a new mutation in the proband's mother. This mutation would result in a Arg259->Cys substitution.     

A transthyretin variant (alanine 49) associated with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy in a French family.

A transthyretin mutation was discovered in a French family with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy originally described in 1983. The syndrome is of early onset (approximate age 35 to 40) with carpal tunnel syndrome. Death is from cardiac disease. By direct genomic DNA sequencing an A-->G mutation was found in the position corresponding to the first base of transthyretin codon 49. The predicted alanine for threonine substitution in the transthyretin protein was proven by amino acid sequencing of transthyretin isolated from the plasma of an affected subject. Since the DNA mutation does not result in the creation or abolition of a restriction endonuclease recognition site, a new DNA analysis technique was used in which site directed mutagenesis is used to create an RFLP when the introduced mutation is in proximity to the natural mutation. Using a 27 nucleotide mutagenesis primer in the PCR reaction, a new Bg1I site was created on amplification of the variant allele. Using this test, termed PCR-IMRA, four affected members of the family were shown to have the mutation.     

A de novo G+1 → a mutation at the α2(I) exon 16 splice donor site causes skipping of exon 16 in the cDNA of one allele of an OI Type IV proband

We have investigated the procollagen, collagen, α2(I) mRNA, and DNA of a proband with type IV OI. The proband synthesized two α2(I) chains, one with normal electrophoretic migration and one more rapidly migrating. The fast α2(I) chain was relatively retained within the cell and was present in collagens synthesized in the presence of α,α′-dipyridyl. The α2(I) cyanogen bromide peptide CB 4-2 contained both normal and rapidly migrating components. Thermal stability of helices containing the rapidly migrating α2(I) chain was reduced 6°C. Parental fibroblast collagens were normal. RNA/RNA hybrids between proband total RNA and antisense riboprobe complementary to α2(I) nt 236–1390 were digested with RNase A and T1. Digestion products seen exclusively in the proband suggested a structural change in the region coding for exons 16-19. The region which hybridized to the riboprobe was amplified using RNA-PCR and subcloned. Multiple restriction enzyme digestions of the two subcloned alleles suggested a structural change localized to the region coding for exons 16-17. Sequencing revealed a deletion of the 54 bp comprising exon 16 in the cDNA of one allele. The region of the proband's genomic DNA spanning exons 15-17 was amplified by PCR. The subcloned genomic fragments of each allele were distinguished by RNA/DNA hybrid analysis using a riboprobe complementary to normal genomic DNA from this region. Sequencing revealed a G⁺¹ → A mutation at the exon 16 donor site in one allele. The mutation eliminates a Styl site. Digestion of PCR fragments amplified from the proband and parental WBC DNA revealed that only the proband had the undigested mutant fragment. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Novel Tay-Sachs disease mutations from China.

We describe three HEXA mutations associated with infantile Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) in three unrelated nonconsanguineous Chinese families. Novel mutations were found in two of these families. The third is a previously reported mutation (G-->A transition at nt 1444) (Nakano et al., 1988). Direct sequencing of PCR products identified a novel insertion of an A after nt 547 in family 1. This change generates an early termination codon 6 bp downstream from the insertion site. Allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization confirmed homozygosity in the proband. Single strand conformational polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing of amplified exon 13 revealed a T-->C transition at nt 1453 with the corresponding amino acid substitution W485R in the second family. This mutation creates an Fnu4HI restriction site. The proband is homozygous for this allele. When the site-specific mutagenized alpha cDNA carrying the T-->C transition at nt 1453 was expressed in COS 1 cells hexosaminidase S activity was not detectable above background. A G-->A transition at nt 1444 (exon 13) corresponding to the E482K substitution was found in the third family. This mutation occurs at a CpG dinucleotide. It has been reported in an Italian TSD proband and causes defective intracellular transport of the alpha-subunit from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus.     

A double-variant transthyretin allele (SER 6, ILE 33) in the Israeli patient “SKO” with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy

Transthyretin (TTR) isolated from amyloid fibrils from an Israeli patient (“SKO”) with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy has been studied by two groups of investigators. Originally, a position 49 Thr→Gly substitution was reported; subsequently, a position 33 Phe→Ile substitution was found instead. We have studied DNA from this patient by single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, restriction analysis, and DNA sequencing. On one allele, exon 2 contained both a T→A transversion at the first position of codon 33, encoding the previously described Phe→Ile substitution, and a G→A transition at the first position of codon 6, encoding a Gly→Ser substitution. The originally reported position 49 mutation was not encoded in the genomic DNA. This is the first report of a TTR double-variant allele in a patient with TTR amyloidosis. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

α1,3半乳糖基转移酶新等位基因278C＞T的鉴定

目的研究中国汉族人群ABO血型系统中Bw变异型的分子遗传背景，发现并鉴定一个新的ABO等位基因。方法血型血清学方法鉴定1例ABO血型疑难样本，应用聚合酶链反应、逆转录-聚合酶链反应和DNA序列分析等方法对先证者ABO基因转录调控序列和全编码序列进行突变筛选和检测。结果血清学和家系调查鉴定该样本为Bw表型，对gDNA和cDNA研究发现该样本存在第6外显子278C／T杂合，单倍体分析发现一种新的Bw等位基因，该等位基因与B101相比，差异仅在第6外显子的278C〉T错义突变，导致多肽链P93L替换，该突变点位于以前报道的Bw等位基因功能域之外。结论在中国人群中发现一种新的导致Bw变异型的ABO等位基因。     

2,8-Dihydroxyadenine urolithiasis in a patient with considerable residual adenine phosphoribosyltransferase activity in cell extracts but with mutations in both copies of APRT

We have examined the mutational basis of adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT, EC 2.4.2.7) deficiency (MIM 102600) in a patient of Polish origin who has been passing 2,8-dihydroxyadenine (DHA) stones since birth, but has considerable residual enzyme activity in lymphocyte extracts. The five exons and flanking regions of APRT were amplified by PCR and then sequenced. A single T insertion was identified at the intron 4 splice donor site (TGgtaa to TGgttaa:IVS4+2insT) in one allele from the proband, his mother, and brother. A G-to-T transversion in exon 5 (GTC-to-TTC:c.448G>T, V150F) was identified in the other allele, and this mutation was also present in one allele from the father and the paternal grandmother. Tru91 and AvaII digestions of PCR products spanning exons 4 and 5, respectively, confirmed the mutations. The mother was heterozygous for an intragenic TaqI site, but all other family members were homozygous for the presence of this site. IVS4+2insT, located on the allele containing the TaqI site, has been identified previously in several families from Europe, suggesting a founder effect, but the substitution in exon 5 is a novel mutation. IVS4+2insT is known to result in complete loss of enzyme activity, and our results suggest that V150F produces an enzyme that is nonfunctional in vivo but has considerable residual activity in vitro.     

New transthyretin variants SER 91 and SER 116 associated with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy. Mutations in brief no. 151. Online

Mutations of the transthyretin (TTR) gene are associated with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP). Two new mutations were detected in French patients with TTR amyloidosis. The first patient was a 72 year old man who presented with severe and rapidly evolving sensory motor polyneuropathy of the 4 limbs, a bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a restrictive cardiomyopathy. His father died after a clinical history suggestive in retrospect of TTR amyloidosis. The second patient was a 75 year old man who presented with axonal sensory neuropathy of the 4 limbs and a bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. In both cases immunohistochemistry performed on a nerve biopsy reveled TTR positive amyloid. Direct genomic sequencing of the full TTR gene coding region indicated two heterozygous transversions encoding Ser for Ala 91 substitution in the third exon of the gene in patient 1 and Ser for Tyr 116 substitution in the fourth exon of the gene in patient 2. The mutations were confirmed by digesting PCR products with restriction enzymes and were not found in a control population of 100 unrelated individuals. The Ser 116 substitution was also detected in the daughter and the 70 year old sister of the proband. However the absence of symptomatology suggestive of TTR amyloidosis may be related to the late onset of the disease. The clinical immunohistochemical and molecular studies in both patients are highly suggestive of an association between the Ser 91 and Ser 116 TTR variants with amyloidosis.     

A new Tay-Sachs disease B1 allele in exon 7 in two compound heterozygotes each with a second novel mutation.

Three novel Tay--Sachs Disease (TSD) mutations have been identified in two unrelated, non-Jewish compound heterozygous patients. A G772C transversion mutation causing an Asp258His substitution is shared by both patients. The mutant enzyme had been characterized, on the basis of previous kinetic studies (1) as a B1, or alpha-subunit active site mutation. This is the first B1 mutation not found in codon 178 (exon 5). A C508T transition causing an Arg170Trp substitution also occurred in one of the patients. The third mutation is a two base deletion occurring in exon 8 involving the loss of either nts 927-928 or 929-930 in codon 310. The deletion creates an inframe termination codon 35 bases downstream. The Arg170Trp mutation was also detected in a third unrelated TSD patient. In both families this allele was traced to French Canadian ancestors originating in the Estrie region of the province of Quebec. This mutation is the third TSD allele unique to the French Canadian population and the ancestral origins of the carrier parents are distant from the center of diffusion of the more common 7.6 kb deletion mutation which is in the eastern part of the province.     

中国人群中α1,2岩藻糖基转移酶基因C35T变异的频率研究

目的 研究中国人群中α1，2岩藻糖基转移酶（alpha-1,2-fucosyltransferase,FUT1）基因FUT1 C35T变异的等位基因频率。方法 聚合酶链反应扩增包括C35T变异区域的FUT1基因DNA片段，扩增产物用Hae Ⅲ进行酶切，建立鉴定FUT1基因h4等位基因的PCR-限制性片段长度多态性方法。应用该方法对158名随机汉族人群样本进行检测。结果 158名随机样本中，35T/T纯合子8名，35C/T杂合子67名，35C/C纯合子83名，符合Hardy-Weinbery遗传平衡。所有样本的ABO血型鉴定均正常。而非日缺陷。结论FUT1基因C35T不是引起类孟买型的基因突变，而是一种常见的基因多态性。     

Identification of the 664 proline to leucine mutation in the low density lipoprotein receptor in four unrelated patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia in the UK

Mutations in the gene for the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor cause Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH). One such mutation, a cytosine to thymine change in the codon for amino acid 664, causes proline (CCG) to be replaced by leucine (CTG) at this position, and creates a Pst I site in exon 14 of the gene. This mutation, previously identified in an FH homozygote of Asian Indian origin, results in a receptor with a reduced binding affinity for LDL and in delayed processing of the precursor form of the protein in cultured cells. A total of 224 unrelated heterozygous and 4 homozygous FH patients from London was screened for this mutation using direct amplification of genomic DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction digestion of the PCR product. Four patients were identified who were heterozgous for this mutation and the C to T base change was confirmed by sequencing. Affected relatives of these patients were also found to have the mutation. The effect of the mutation on LDL-receptor function in lymphoblastoid cell lines obtained from two of these patients was similar to that observed in heterozygous relatives of the original proband (MM). Eight polymorphisms of the LDL receptor gene were used to determine the haplotype of the defective allele carried by the patients and the individual (MM) in whom the mutation was first discovered. Two different haplotypes were found, suggesting that the mutation, which occurs at a CpG 'hotspot', has arisen independently at least twice. The presence of the same single base change in the LDL-receptor gene in several unrelated patients has not previously been reported in a population which is not geographically or culturally isolated.     

一个异染性脑白质营养不良家系ARSA基因突变分析

目的分析并确定一个异染性脑白质营养不良（metachromatic leukodystrophy，MLD）家系芳基硫酸酯酶A（arylsulftase A，ARSA）的基因（ARSA）突变及遗传特征。方法收集先证者及其家系成员临床资料，采用聚合酶链反应和DNA直接测序方法进行ARSA突变检测，确定基因突变的位点，分析基因型与表型的关系。结果该家系先证者的ARSA基因同时存在第2外显子G251A（R84Q）与G296T（G99V）两个杂合突变，具有相似表型的胞弟与先证者的测序结果完全一致，先证者之父母分别携带ARSA基因第2外显子G251A（R84Q）与G296T（G99V）的杂合突变，表型正常的先证者之姐未发现这些突变。结论该家系中两位患儿均为ARSA基因复合杂合突变致病，其G251A（R84Q）突变来自父亲，G296T（G99V）突变来自母亲，其父母均为表型正常的基因突变携带者。     

Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy: a new transthyretin position 30 mutation (alanine for valine) in a family of German descent

Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is a dominantly inherited form of amyloidosis usually associated with an abnormal transthyretin (TTR), previously known as prealbumin. Several disease-related variants of the protein, each with a different amino acid substitution and correlating DNA point mutation, have been identified. The TTR gene from a patient suffering from this disorder was asymmetrically amplified and directly sequenced, revealing a cytosine for thymine substitution in the second base of codon 30 and the creation of a novel Cfo I restriction endonuclease site in exon 2. This mutation results in a previously undescribed substitution of an alanine for valine in the final TTR protein. Analysis of the amino acid mutation reveals it to be a hydrophilic substitution at a hydrophobic core position. Alanine at position 30 represents the second FAP-associated mutation at position 30 in TTR.     

A new mutant transthyretin (Arg 10) associated with familial amyloid polyneuropathy.

We report a new kindred with systemic amyloidosis presenting as peripheral neuropathy in the sixth and seventh decades of life. Polymorphism in exon 2 of the transthyretin (TTR) gene was suggested by single strand conformation polymorphism analysis and determined by direct DNA sequencing. We also developed restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis by polymerase chain reaction using a primer with an induced mutation. The point mutation (cytosine for thymine at position 1038 of the TTR gene) is responsible for substitution of arginine for cysteine at position 10 of the TTR molecule. It is hypothesised that the TTR molecules which have no cysteine have a unique structure in heterozygous TTR polymers and are responsible for amyloid fibril formation.     

A 'de novo' point mutation of the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene in an Italian subject with primary hypercholesterolemia

Severe hypercholesterolemia was found in an 11-year-old boy with no family history of familial hypercholesterolemia. The reduced LDL-receptor activity in cultured skin fibroblasts (40%¹²⁵I-LDL degradation as compared with a control cell line) indicated the presence of an LDL-receptor defect. The analysis of the promoter region and the exons of LDL-receptor gene by single strand conformation polymorphism revealed an abnormal migration pattern in exon 1, which was due to a T A transversion at nucleotide 28 of the cDNA. This novel mutation causes an arginine for tryptophane substitution at position-12 of the signal peptide (W-12R) and introduces an Avi II restriction site in exon 1. Screening of the mutation by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of exon 1 and Avi II digestion revealed that none of the proband's family members carried the mutation. Non-paternity was excluded after the analysis of a battery of 14 short tandem repeats located in 13 different chromosomes. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the proband is heterozygous for a 'de novo' mutation of the LDL-receptor gene producing a non-conservative amino acid substitution. We suggest that the change in the net charge of the signal peptide, caused by the addition of a positively charged amino acid, impairs the co-translational translocation of the nascent receptor protein across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane.     

一个遗传性凝血因子Ⅴ缺乏症家系中凝血因子Ⅴ基因两种新突变的鉴定

目的对一个遗传性凝血因子Ⅴ缺乏症家系进行凝血因子Ⅴ（factorⅤ，FⅤ）基因突变的检测，探讨先天性凝血因子Ⅴ缺乏症的分子发病机理。方法PCR结合直接测序方法对先证者的FⅤ基因全部25个外显子及其旁侧序列进行分析，鉴别其中可能存在的基因变异。应用PCR产物反向测序法或PCR限制性内切酶分析技术对突变位点进行确证。随机选择100名健康体检者作为正常对照。结果先证者FⅤ基因存在两种突变，分别是第11外显子区的A1763C错义突变和位于第16内含子3′端剪接位点的G-T突变；家系分析表明这两个突变是双杂合子型，前者遗传自父亲，后者遗传自母亲。100名健康对照者均未发现A1763C错义突变。结论第11外显子A1763C错义突变和第16内含子3′端的剪接位点突变使先证者呈现双重杂合子型，可能是先证者FⅤ先天性缺乏的原因。     

Identification of HLA-A*2306

We describe a novel allele encoding HLA-A23: A*2306, discovered in an African-American individual, whose DNA was HLA typed as part of a quality control exercise. Direct sequencing typing identified A*2301 and A*6601 with an unexpected heterozygous peak at position 331. As position 331 is at the end of exon 2, near the priming site for the B3.6 anti-sense sequencing primer, the sequencing data is not optimal in this region and sequencing from the sense primer is relied on. In addition the new polymorphism was not at an expected polymorphic position and could easily have been missed, leading to the assignment of A*2301. However, data from reference strand mediated conformation analysis showed distinct new mobilities from those expected for A*2301 with two different fluorescent-labelled references, leading to the conclusion that the heterozygous peak seen at position 331 was a true variant of the A*2301 allele. A*2306 is most similar to A*2301 with 1 nucleotide difference at position 331 in exon 2 which was previously a conserved position. This mutation results in an amino acid substitution of glutamine for glutamate at residue 87.