Sequence-based typing identifies a novel HLA-DPB1 allele, DPB1*9601

In this report we describe the identification of a novel HLA-DPB1 allele, DPB1*9601, found in a Caucasian individual sample named ucla#356. The new allele was detected in the DNA of ucla#356 during routine HLA sequence-based typing (SBT) of samples participating in the UCLA International HLA DNA Exchange (number 55) for HLA DNA Proficiency Testing. DPB1*9601 was identical to DPB1*3901 except for a single nucleotide substitution 'G'-->'C' in previously constant position 277 (position 177, respectively, counting only exon 2). This nucleotide change causes an amino acid substitution from aspartic acid in DPB1*3901 to histidine at codon 64 in the novel allele. This new allele has been submitted to the EMBL database and has been assigned the accession number AJ514871. The WHO Nomenclature Committee has officially assigned the name DPB1*9601.