The genetic and phenotypic basis of blood group A subtypes in Koreans.
A serological and genetic study of Korean blood donors with phenotypic group A subtypes was performed. There were 176 donors with phenotypic A subtypes identified. Exons 6 and 7 from 57 representative donors were sequenced. The A(var) allele (784 G > A) was cloned and sequenced, and a family study demonstrating its inheritance and unusual serological characteristics was performed. The A102 allele was the most frequently identified allele in phenotypically A2 (58%, 11/19) and A2B (68%, 17/25) donors. Anti-A1 was rarely present amongst A2 and A2B donors. The family study revealed that the A(var) allele was expressed as phenotype A(weak)B in A(var)/B heterozygote members, but as phenotype O in A(var)/O heterozygotes. The most frequent allele in Korean donors with the A2 phenotype differs from its Caucasian counterpart, as does the frequency of anti-A1. The A(var) allele demonstrates allelic enhancement in A(var)/B heterozygotes.
Cho
D
D
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital and Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea.
Shin
M G
MG
Yazer
M H
MH
Kee
S J
SJ
Shin
J H
JH
Suh
S P
SP
Jeon
M J
MJ
Song
J W
JW
Ki
C S
CS
Ryang
D W
DW
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics*; D000483:Alleles; D001782:Blood Donors; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D040582:Inheritance Patterns; D007723:Korea; D010375:Pedigree; D010641:Phenotype; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System