title: [Blood group genes].
abstract: Blood group antigens are surface markers on the red blood cell membrane. Biochemical analysis of blood group antigens has shown that these antigens divide into two types of proteins and carbohydrates attached to lipids or proteins. Protein determinants are directly coded on blood group genes, while carbohydrate determinants are controlled through the expression of glycosyltransferase enzymes. For the past ten years, considerable information has been gained from molecular studies of many blood group systems, thereby clarifying several aspects of these genes, genetic backgrounds of variants, and molecular evolution. Additionally, it has become possible to genotype blood groups and to genetically engineer the expression of protein antigens and the activity and specificity of enzymes. ABO system on the carbohydrate and Rh system on the protein are the most important systems in transfusion medicine. In this paper, we will review recent progress in the field of blood grouping; mainly ABO and Rh.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Medicine, Department of Legal Medicine and Human Genetics, Jichi Medical School, Kawachi-gun, Tochigi-pref. 329-0498.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kajii
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D002240:Carbohydrate Sequence; D005091:Exons; D006017:Glycolipids; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009154:Mutation; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D006017:Glycolipids; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System