ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There have been several studies aimed at determining the presence of the B(3) specific alleles in Korean B(3) blood donors. However, in these samples, only consensus exons 6 and 7 have been detected. Therefore, this study analyzed the complete exons (1~7) and flanking intronic region of the ABO gene sequence in B(3) donors. METHODS: A total of 12 B(3) blood donors collected at the Gwangju-Chonnam Red Cross Blood Center were identified using standard tube techniques. The genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood and of exons 1~7 including flanking intronic regions were sequenced and an allele specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) was performed. RESULTS: Complete exon and flanking intronic analysis of the ABO alleles revealed the consensus B101 allele along with either the O01 or O02 allele in 11 out of the 12 donors. The remaining 1 donor had the Bw03/O01 genotype. CONCLUSION: No B(3) specific novel alleles were found in most Korean B(3) donors, and the genetic basis of B(3) blood group could not be explained.