Eight new alleles found in Flanders (Belgium), including the HLA-DRB1*12:24N allele.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) high-resolution matching is routinely performed in the case of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Misdiagnosis of rare or new variants will result in additional unknown mismatches that can trigger graft versus host disease and/or graft failure. Using a mono allelic sequencing strategy, we obtained >90% first-step sequence-based high-resolution typing results, conforming to the standards set down by the European Federation for Immunogenetics. During this routine analysis, eight new HLA alleles were identified, including one DRB1*12 null variant, DRB1*12:24N and three other coding mutants, resulting in a change of properties of the corresponding antigens.

Xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolase (XTH) is encoded by a multi-gene family in the primitive vascular land plant Selaginella kraussiana.

Xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolases (XTHs) are enzymes that cleave and rejoin xyloglucan chains. To trace the evolutionary origin of XTHs, we used Selaginella kraussiana, a representative of the most primitive land plants (Lycopodiophyta). A Southern blot with a digoxigenin-labeled probe, designed on the conserved catalytic site of XTHs, indicated nine genes. The presence of at least seven functional XTHs was detected by isoelectric focusing (IEF) followed by overlaying the gel with a XET-test paper. Together, these results indicate that XTHs are encoded by a multi-gene family that originated during or even before the colonization of land by plants.