title: Possible genetical pathways for the biosynthesis of blood group mucopolysaccharides. Vox Sang 1959:4:97-119.
abstract: This paper put forward possible biosynthetic pathways for the formation of the blood group A, B, H and Lewis antigens based on the limited knowledge of their chemistry and genetics that was available in 1959. The schemes proposed that genes at four independent loci ABO, HH, Lele and Sese interacted to give the five specificities A, B, H, Lea and Leb found in secretions and that the primary products of the blood group genes were not the antigens but enzymes that catalysed the sequential addition of single sugars to complete the determinants.
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D000939:Epitopes; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000939:Epitopes; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens