Exon 2 sequence analysis of a novel HLA-DRB1 allele, DRB1*0314.

We describe the identification of a new DRB1*03 variant in a Caucasian volunteer bone-marrow donor (DR'KW'). The indication for the existence of this new variant arose from contradictory results obtained by serological and several DNA typing methods (SSP, SSOP). Analysis of the exon 2 sequence revealed that the DRB1*0314 contained the characteristic DR3 specific sequence motifs, except for codon 77 (AAC-->ACC) where threonine is substituted for asparagine.