Identification of three novel HLA class I alleles: HLA-A*0261, HLA-B*1585 and HLA-B*1587

Three novel human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I alleles have been characterized by means of direct DNA sequencing analysis. HLA-A* 0261 showed sequence variation at conserved codon. It differs from HLA-A* 020601 by a single-nucleotide substitution at codon 57 (CCG -> GCG) resulting in an amino acid change from Pro to Ala. The sequences of HLA-B*1585 are similar to those of HLA-B*15010101, but differed five nucleotides on exon 3 resulting in three amino acid changes at residues 94 (Thr -> Ile), 95 (Leu -> Ile) and 103 (Val -> Leu). Likewise, HLA-B*1587 is identical to HLA-B*15010101 except at codons 80-83 (Asn-Leu-Arg-Gly -> Ile-Ala-Leu-Arg) which has been replaced by HLA-Bw4 motif. These alleles seemed to be generated by either a point mutation or a gene conversion-like event from alleles existing in the population with high frequencies.