Identification of BoLA‐DRB3.2 alleles in Korean native cattle (Hanwoo) and Holstein populations using a next generation sequencer

Bovine leucocyte antigen (encoded by BoLA) has been widely studied to identify the association with many traits related to immunity. Exon2 of BoLA‐DRB3 is extremely polymorphic, and more than 100 alleles have been identified. We investigated polymorphisms of BoLA‐DRB3.2 in Korean native cattle and Holstein populations using a next generation sequencer of the GS‐FLX Titanium system. We found 38 alleles including 11 new alleles (BoLA‐DRB3*1303, *4702, *7101, *7501, *7201, *7301, *7601, *1104, *7701, *7401 and *50021) in Hanwoo, and nine alleles including one new allele (BoLA‐DRB3*7601) in Holstein. The 454 sequencing method is a promising alternative technology for high throughput genotyping of BoLA‐DRB3.2 because of its technical advantages that allow it to overcome the disadvantages of sequence‐based typing methods.