Complete sequence of a new HLA-B35 allele found in a tribe of Mapuche Indians in the south of Argentina

HLA-B35 is a member of the serological antigenic cluster known as the B5,B35 cross-reactive group. It comprises at least thirteen different alleles, which differ among themselves by one to six amino acids. In the present work we describe the complete sequence of HLA-B*3509. This allele was found in a tribe of Mapuche Indians living in Blancura Centro, Province of Rio Negro, Argentina (69 degree 20' W, 40 degree 30' S). The demographic aspects and blood genetic markers of this population have shown an ethnic admixture of 6.3%. Five unrelated individuals were serologically typed as HLA-B35, and cells from one of them (MA9: HLA-A3,28/B35,x/Cw4,5) were used for molecular studies.