Aberrant intracellular trafficking of a variant B glycosyltransferase

One novel single nucleotide polymorphism c.424A>G on A1.02 allele in ABO glycosyltransferases leads to Aweak phenotype

BACKGROUND

The dysfunction of the ABO glycosyltransferase (GT) enzyme, which is caused by mutations in the ABO gene, can lead to weak ABO phenotypes. In this study, we have discovered a novel weak ABO subgroup allele and investigated the underlying mechanism to causing its Aweak phenotype.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ABO phenotyping and genotyping were performed by serological studies and direct DNA sequencing of ABO gene. The role of the novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was evaluated by 3D model, predicting protein structure changes, and in vitro expression assay. The total glycosyltransferase transfer capacity in supernatant of transfected cells was examined.

RESULTS

The results of serological showed the subject was Aweak phenotype. A novel SNP c.424A > G (p. M142V) based on ABO*A1.02 was identified, and the genotype of the subject was AW-var/O.01 according to the gene analysis. In silico analysis showed that the SNP c.424A > G on the A allele may change the local conformation by damaging the hydrogen bonds and reduce the stability of GT. In vitro expression study showed that SNP p.M142V impaired H to A antigen conversion, although it did not affect the generation of A glycosyltransferase (GTA).

CONCLUSIONS

One novel AW allele was identified and the SNP c.424A > G (p.M142V) can cause the Aweak phenotype through damaging the hydrogen bonds and reducing stability of the GTA.

Mechanisms of Formation of Antibodies against Blood Group Antigens That Do Not Exist in the Body

The system of the four different human blood groups is based on the oligosaccharide antigens A or B, which are located on the surface of blood cells and other cells including endothelial cells, attached to the membrane proteins or lipids. After transfusion, the presence of these antigens on the apical surface of endothelial cells could induce an immunological reaction against the host. The final oligosaccharide sequence of AgA consists of Gal-GlcNAc-Gal (GalNAc)-Fuc. AgB contains Gal-GlcNAc-Gal (Gal)-Fuc. These antigens are synthesised in the Golgi complex (GC) using unique Golgi glycosylation enzymes (GGEs). People with AgA also synthesise antibodies against AgB (group A [II]). People with AgB synthesise antibodies against AgA (group B [III]). People expressing AgA together with AgB (group AB [IV]) do not have these antibodies, while people who do not express these antigens (group O [0; I]) synthesise antibodies against both antigens. Consequently, the antibodies are synthesised against antigens that apparently do not exist in the body. Here, we compared the prediction power of the main hypotheses explaining the formation of these antibodies, namely, the concept of natural antibodies, the gut bacteria-derived antibody hypothesis, and the antibodies formed as a result of glycosylation mistakes or de-sialylation of polysaccharide chains. We assume that when the GC is overloaded with lipids, other less specialised GGEs could make mistakes and synthesise the antigens of these blood groups. Alternatively, under these conditions, the chylomicrons formed in the enterocytes may, under this overload, linger in the post-Golgi compartment, which is temporarily connected to the endosomes. These compartments contain neuraminidases that can cleave off sialic acid, unmasking these blood antigens located below the acid and inducing the production of antibodies.

Application of flow cytometry in transfusion medicine: The Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, India experience

The application of flow cytometry (FC) is diverse and this powerful tool in used in multiple disciplines such as molecular biology, immunology, cancer biology, virology, and infectious disease screening. FC analyzes a single cell or a particle very rapidly as they flow past single or multiple lasers while suspended in buffered solution. FC has a great impact in the field of transfusion medicine (TM) due to its ability to analyze individual cell population and cell epitopes by sensitive, reproducible, and objective methodologies. The main uses of FC in TM are detection of fetomaternal hemorrhage, diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, quantification of D antigen, detection of platelet antibody, quality control of blood components, for example, residual leukocyte counts and evaluation of CD34-positive hematopoietic progenitor cells in stem cell grafts. In recent years, FC has been implemented as an alternative method for the detection and characterization of red cell autoantibodies in autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Many workers considered FC as a very good complement when aberrant expression of various erythrocyte antigens needs to be elucidated. It has been extensively used in the resolution of ABO discrepancies and chimerism study. FC has also been used successfully in various platelet immunological studies. In the recent past, FC has been used in several studies to assess the platelet storage lesions and elucidate granulocyte/monocyte integrity and immunology. FC analysis of CD34+ stem cells is now the method of choice to determine the dosage of the collected progenitor cells. The technique is vastly used to evaluate residual leukocytes in leukodepleted blood components. We conclude that flow cytometers are becoming smaller, cheaper, and more user-friendly and are available in many routine laboratories. FC represents a highly innovative technique for many common diagnostic and scientific fields in TM. Finally, it is the tool of choice to develop and optimize new cellular and immunotherapeutic trials.

[Genetic analysis of weakened expression of ABO blood group antigen in 20 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the molecular mechanism for weakened expression of ABO blood group antigens in 20 cases.

METHODS

Blood samples were collected from 20 cases with weakened expression of ABO blood group antigens, including 12 children undergoing elective surgery and 8 of their parents or grandparents. Serological identification of the ABO blood group was performed using microcolumn agglutination method and saline test tube method. The PCR products of exons 1-7 and their upstream promoter region of the ABO gene were directly sequenced for genotyping.

RESULTS

In 11 of the cases, the ABO genotype could be determined by pedigree analysis (including 1 case of ABO*A2.01/ABO*B.01, 1 case of ABO*A2.01/ ABO*O01.01, 1 case of A1.02/B3.04, 2 cases of B3.04/O.01.01, 2 cases of B3.02/O.01.02, and 4 cases of Bw.12/O.01.01). Pedigree analysis revealed deletion mutation at -35_-18 nt in the ABO promoter region in 3 cases, indicating that the mutation occurred in the B allele; a C > T mutation occurred at -119 nt in the ABO promoter region in 1 case; a C deletion at 1054 nt in exon 7 was identified in 1 case; no mutation was found in exons 1-7 and their regulatory region of ABO gene in 4 cases.

CONCLUSION

The C > T mutation at-119 nt in the promoter region and the deletion mutation at 1054 nt in exon 7 of ABO gene are probably new mutations leading to abnormal expression of ABO blood group antigens. Some ABO subtypes may be associated with abnormal introns or mRNA synthesis.

Two novel mutations p. L319V and p. L91P in ABO glycosyltransferases lead to Ael and Bel phenotypes

BACKGROUND

Mutations of the ABO gene may cause the dysfunction of ABO glycosyltransferase (GT) that can result in weak ABO phenotypes. Here, we identified two novel weak ABO subgroup alleles and explored their mechanisms that caused A_el and B_el phenotypes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ABO phenotyping and genotyping were performed by serological studies and direct DNA sequencing of the ABO gene. The role of the novel mutations were evaluated by a three-dimensional model, predicting protein structure changes, and in vitro expression assay. The total glycosyltransferase transfer capacity in supernatant of transfected cells was examined.

RESULTS

We identified a mutation c. 955C>G (p. L319V) of A allele in an A_el subject and a mutation c. 272T>C (p. L91P) of B allele in a B_el subject. In silico analysis showed that the mutation p. L319V of the A allele and p. L91P of the B allele may change the local conformation of GT and impair the catalysis of H to A or B antigen conversion. In vitro expression study showed that mutation p. L319V impaired H to A antigen conversion, although it did not affect the expression of glycosyltransferase A.

CONCLUSIONS

Two novel "el"-type ABO subgroup alleles were identified. Both of the two novel mutations can change the local conformation of GTs and reduce protein stability. GTA mutation p. L319V can impair the conversion from H to A antigen and causes the A_el phenotype.

p.R180C mutation of glycosyltransferase B leads to B subgroup, an in vitro and in silico study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Dysfunctional glycosyltransferase A or B may lead to incomplete glycosylation of H antigen and atypical ABO blood group with weak A or B phenotypes, posing challenges for blood typing for transfusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serological studies and ABO gene analysis were performed. Flow cytometry was performed on HeLa cells transfected glycosyltransferase B expressing plasmids. Agglutination of transfected cells and total glycosyltransferase B transfer capacity were examined. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to explore possible dynamic conformational changes around the binding pocket.

RESULTS

We identified a mutation c.538C>T (p. R180C) of B allele in a Chinese donor and his father with ABw phenotype. In vitro expression study showed that mutation p.R180C, although not affecting expression of glycosyltransferase B, impaired H to B antigen conversion. The in silico analyses found that the residue Arg180 on the internal loop next to the entry of the binding pocket may have its long side chain salt-bridged with the highly flexible C-terminal carboxyl and contribute to the catalysis of H to B antigen conversion.

CONCLUSION

The p.R180C mutation impairs the conversion from H to B antigen and leads to weak B phenotype. Dynamic interaction between Arg180 and C-terminal of glycosyltransferase B may stabilize its binding with UDP-galactose and facilitate H/B antigen conversion.

An exonic missense mutation c.28G>A is associated with weak B blood group by affecting RNA splicing of the ABO gene

BACKGROUND

The amino acid substitutions caused by ABO gene mutations are usually predicted to impact glycosyltransferase's function or its biosynthesis. Here we report an ABO exonic missense mutation that affects B-antigen expression by decreasing the mRNA level of the ABO gene rather than the amino acid change.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Serologic studies including plasma total GTB transfer capacity were performed. The exon sequences of the ABO gene were analyzed by Sanger sequencing. B³¹⁰ cDNA with c.28G>A (p.G10R) mutation was expressed in HeLa cells and total GTB transfer capacity in cell supernatant was measured. Flow cytometry was performed on these HeLa cells after transfection, and agglutination of Hela-B_weak cells was also examined. The mRNA of the ABO gene was analyzed by direct sequencing and real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. A minigene construct was prepared to evaluate the potential of splicing.

RESULTS

While plasma total GTB transfer capacity was undetectable in this B₃ -like individual, the relative percentage of antigen-expressing cells and mean fluorescence index of the B_weak red blood cells (RBCs) were 19 and 14% of normal B RBCs, respectively. There was no significant difference of total GTB transfer capacity in cell supernatant and B-antigen expression on cell surfaces between HeLa cells transfected with B³¹⁰ cDNA and B cDNA. The mRNA expression level of B³¹⁰ in peripheral whole blood was significantly reduced. The amount of splicing is significantly lower in c.28G>A construct compared to that in wild-type construct after transfection in K562 cells.

CONCLUSION

ABO c.28G>A mutation may cause B₃ -like subgroup by affecting RNA splicing of the ABO gene.

Sequence-Based Typing of Human Blood Groups

In the last two decades, all but one of the genes encoding the 30 blood group systems present on red blood cells have been identified. This body of knowledge has permitted the application of molecular techniques to characterize the common blood group antigens and to elucidate the background for some of the variant phenotypes. DNA sequencing methodology was developed in the late 1970s and has become one of the most widely used techniques in molecular biology. In the field of immunohematology, this method is currently used by specialized laboratories to elucidate the molecular basis of unusual blood group phenotypes that cannot be defined by serology and genotyping. Because of the heterogeneity of the blood groups on both the antigen and the genetic level, special knowledge of the biology of blood group systems is needed to design sequencing strategies and interpret sequence data. This review summarizes the technical and immunohematologic expertise that is required when applying sequence-based typing for characterization of human blood groups.