title: Molecular genetics and clinical applications for RH.
abstract: Rhesus is the clinically most important protein-based blood group system. It represents the largest number of antigens and the most complex genetics of the 30 known blood group systems. The RHD and RHCE genes are strongly homologous. Some genetic complexity is explained by their close chromosomal proximity and unusual orientation, with their tail ends facing each other. The antigens are expressed by the RhD and the RhCE proteins. Rhesus exemplifies the correlation of genotype and phenotype, facilitating the understanding of general genetic mechanisms. For clinical purposes, genetic diagnostics of Rhesus antigens will improve the cost-effective development of transfusion medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States. bill.flegel@nih.gov
authors.forename: Willy A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Flegel
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002878:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D004899:Erythroblastosis, Fetal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D005544:Forecasting; D020440:Gene Duplication; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008958:Models, Molecular; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000191:economics; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System