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BIOCHEMISTRY OF RHESUS (Rh) BLOOD GROUP ANTIGENS
Author(s) -
Gahmberg C. G.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
international journal of immunogenetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.41
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1744-313X
pISSN - 1744-3121
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-313x.1990.tb00876.x
Subject(s) - antigen , biology , blood group antigens , biochemistry , red blood cell , erythrocyte membrane , rh blood group system , immunology , membrane , antibody
SUMMARY Although the molecular nature of several blood group antigens was established in 1950–1980, the identification and characteristics of the Rh‐antigens long remained unsolved. In 1982 two groups were able to conclusively identify the Rh 0 (D) antigen as a cell surface polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of about 30 000. This protein has now been relatively well characterized. It seems to lack carbohydrate, it is strongly bound to the membrane skeleton, and it is posttranslationally modified by fatty acid acylation. Its NH 2 ‐terminal amino acid sequence has been determined. It is relatively hydrophobic, and its absence or decrease results in fragile erythrocytes or spherocytes. Its wide distribution in erythrocytes of various animals indicates that it plays an important physiological role.