Abstract
KIR3DL1 and KIR3DS1 allele frequencies were determined by DNA sequencing of the complete coding regions from 100 random unrelated African Americans. Alleles 3DL1*01501 (29 individuals) and 3DL1*01502 (23 individuals) were most frequently observed in addition to 21 other known alleles and 7 new alleles: KIR3DL1*01503, *03102, *064, *065, *066, *067, and *068. Two of the new alleles (KIR3DL1*064, *065) created additional variants of the chimeric KIR3DL1/KIR3DL2 gene. KIR3DS1*01301 (94% of the gene positive individuals) and KIR3DS1*049N (11%) were identified in the 18 individuals carrying this gene. Three individuals appeared to carry a killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor haplotype with KIR3DL1/S1 duplication. The profile of alleles resembles that found in African populations but also shows signs of admixture.