Agglutinogen

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Agglutinogen is an antigen [1] that causes the formation of agglutinins in the body and leads to agglutination, such as hemagglutination, which involves red blood cells (RBCs).

The kind of agglutinogens present on the red blood cells helps determine the blood type of a person. [2]

For example in the ABO blood type classification system, if a person has blood type A, then the red blood cells exhibit agglutinogens A or antigens A. If the blood is of type B, the agglutinogens present are of type B. If the blood is of type AB, then both agglutinogens A and B are present. In blood type O, there are no agglutinogens on the surface of the red blood cells. The agglutinogens are made by specific enzymes, which are encoded in genes. Different versions, or alleles give rise to different agglutinogens: the A allele codes for an enzyme that makes the agglutinogen A and similarly the B allele results in the agglutinogen B. A third version of this gene, the O allele, codes for a protein that is not functional; it makes no surface molecules at all.

Everyone inherits two alleles of the gene, one from each parent. The combination of the two alleles determines the blood type.

The existence of agglutinogens on the surface of red blood cells has been inferred from the reactions, hemolysis and agglutination, which occur on contact with specific antisera.

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominance (genetics)</span> One gene variant masking the effect of another in the other copy of the gene

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Major histocompatibility complex</span> Cell surface proteins, part of the acquired immune system

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">ABO blood group system</span> Classification of blood types

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rh blood group system</span> Human blood group system involving 49 blood antigens

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">HLA-DQ</span> Cell surface receptor protein found on antigen-presenting cells.

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In molecular biology, hemagglutinins are receptor-binding membrane fusion glycoproteins produced by viruses in the Paramyxoviridae and Orthomyxoviridae families. Hemagglutinins are responsible for binding to receptors on host cells to initiate viral attachment and infection.

Cis AB is a type of rare mutation in the ABO gene. It happens when the transferase allele contains a mix of amino acids from either A or B alleles, producing a bifunctional enzyme that can produce both types of antigens, usually with one weaker than the other. This results in a serum test result much like the standard, separate (trans) AB phenotype, although the weaker antigen can occasionally fail to be detected. It complicates the basic inheritance pattern and blood-transfusion compatibility matching for ABO blood typing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blood compatibility testing</span> Testing to identify incompatibilities between blood types

Blood compatibility testing is conducted in a medical laboratory to identify potential incompatibilities between blood group systems in blood transfusion. It is also used to diagnose and prevent some complications of pregnancy that can occur when the baby has a different blood group from the mother. Blood compatibility testing includes blood typing, which detects the antigens on red blood cells that determine a person's blood type; testing for unexpected antibodies against blood group antigens ; and, in the case of blood transfusions, mixing the recipient's plasma with the donor's red blood cells to detect incompatibilities (crossmatching). Routine blood typing involves determining the ABO and RhD type, and involves both identification of ABO antigens on red blood cells and identification of ABO antibodies in the plasma. Other blood group antigens may be tested for in specific clinical situations.

References

  1. Wiener, A. S.; Wexler, I. B. (June 1952). "The mosaic structure of red blood cell agglutinogens". Bacteriological Reviews. 16 (2): 69–87. doi:10.1128/br.16.2.69-87.1952. ISSN   0005-3678. PMC   180734 . PMID   14925028.
  2. "Genes and Blood Type". learn.genetics.utah.edu. Retrieved 2023-09-18.