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Glycosyltransferases A and B: Four Critical Amino Acids Determine Blood Type

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Natisha L. Rose and Monica M. Palcic

Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G2, Canada

Stephen V. Evans

Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3P6, Canada

J. Chem. Educ., 2005, 82 (12), p 1846

DOI: 10.1021/ed082p1846

Publication Date (Web): December 1, 2005

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

Human A, B, and O blood type is determined by the presence or absence of distinct carbohydrate structures on red blood cells. Type O individuals have α-fucose(1→2)galactose disaccharides [O(H) structures] on their cell surfaces while in type A or B individuals, the O antigen is capped by the addition of an α- N-acetylgalactosamine or α-galactose residue, respectively. The addition of these monosaccharides is catalyzed by glycosyltransferase A (GTA) or glycosyltransferase B (GTB). These are homologous enzymes differing by only 4 amino acids out of 354 that change the specificity from GTA to GTB. In this review the chemistry of the blood group ABO system and the role of GTA, GTB, and the four critical amino acids in determining blood group status are discussed.

Keywords (Audience):

Second-Year Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Biochemistry

Keywords (Feature):

Concepts in Biochemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Textbooks / Reference Books

Keywords (Subject):

Carbohydrates

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This article has been cited by 3 ACS Journal articles (3 most recent appear below).

Research Advances: Improved Methods for Detecting Art Forgeries and Blood Types
Angela G. King
Journal of Chemical Education2010 87 (12), 1284-1285
- Research Advances: Improved Methods for Detecting Art Forgeries and Blood Types
  Angela G. King
  Journal of Chemical Education2010 87 (12), 1284-1285
  This installment of Research Advances describes some results of continued efforts in analytical chemistry in fields as far ranging as art forgery detection and faster, cheaper blood typing.
  Abstract | Full Text HTML | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links
Bacterial Homologue of Human Blood Group A Transferase
Wen Yi, Jie Shen, Guangyan Zhou, Jianjun Li and Peng George Wang
Journal of the American Chemical Society2008 130 (44), 14420-14421
- Bacterial Homologue of Human Blood Group A Transferase
  Wen Yi, Jie Shen, Guangyan Zhou, Jianjun Li and Peng George Wang
  Journal of the American Chemical Society2008 130 (44), 14420-14421
  A bacterial version of human blood group A transferase was identified and found to be able to accept five naturally existing H-antigen core structures as good substrates, demonstrating its versatility for synthesis of blood group A antigens. Furthermore, ...
  Abstract | Full Text HTML | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links
Structures for the ABO(H) Blood Group: Which Textbook Is Correct?
John M. Risley
Journal of Chemical Education2007 84 (9), 1546
- Structures for the ABO(H) Blood Group: Which Textbook Is Correct?
  John M. Risley
  Journal of Chemical Education2007 84 (9), 1546
  Six textbooks and two Internet sites show different structures for the A, B, and O(H) antigens of the ABO(H) blood group. However, none of the structures identified as the A, B, and O(H) antigens are correct. The O(H) antigen is a disaccharide, on which ...
  Abstract | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links