Action of glycosyl transferases upon "Bombay" (Oh) erythrocytes. Conversion to cells showing blood-group H and A specificities.
Individuals of the rare "Bombay" (Oh) blood-group phenotype lacking, due to a genetic defect, the alpha(1-2)fucosyl transferase, which is responsible for converting blood-group H precursor substances to H-specific structures. Treatment with GDP-fucose and alpha(1-2)fucosyl transferase prepared from gastric mucosa of O individuals to transform native or ficin-treated "Bombay" erythrocytes into cells phenotypically resembling O cells. The transformation was achieved, however,  after prior incubation of the "Bombay" erythrocytes with neuraminidase, indicating that blood-group H precursor molecules on the surface of these cells are masked by sialyl residues. Blood-group A specificity was conferred upon neuraminidase-treated "Bombay" cells by enzymatic transfer of alpha-N-acetylgalactosamine residues, in addition to alpha-fucose residues.
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000818:Animals; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D005361:Ficain; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology; D006154:Guanosine Diphosphate Fucose; D006602:Hexosyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008861:Microsomes / Q000201:enzymology; D009439:Neuraminidase; D010641:Phenotype; D014537:Uridine Diphosphate N-Acetylglucosamine
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D006154:Guanosine Diphosphate Fucose; D014537:Uridine Diphosphate N-Acetylglucosamine; D006602:Hexosyltransferases; D009439:Neuraminidase; D005361:Ficain