Characterization of a novel MICA allele, MICA*047

We report the identification of a novel MICA allele, MICA*047. It was initially detected because of an unusual hybridization pattern with sequence-specific oligonucleotides (SSOP) in a normal subject of Caucasian origin. Cloning and sequencing of both strands, and comparison of the sequence with previously defined MICA alleles, revealed that the new allele is similar to MICA*041 except for one nucleotide substitution at position 811 (C-->G). It appears that this new allele could have been generated by an interallelic sequence exchange between MICA*011 and MICA*0411.