An immunochemical study of the human blood group P1, P, and PK glycosphingolipid antigens

Biochemistry. 1975 Nov 4;14(22):4837-41. doi: 10.1021/bi00693a010.

Abstract

The erythrocyte PK and P blood group antigens have been identified as ceramide trihexoside (CTH), Gal-(alpha, 1 leads to 4)Gal(beta, 1 leads to 4)Glc-Cer, and globoside, GalN-Ac(beta, 1 leads to 3)Gal(alpha, 1 leads to 4)Gal(beta, 1 leads to 4)Glc-Cer, respectively, and the following structure has been proposed for the P1 antigen: Gal(alpha, 1 leads to 4)Gal(beta, 1 leads to 4)GlcNAc(beta, 1 leads to 3)Gal(beta, 1 leads to 4)Glc-Cer. Although the P1 and PK determinants have identical terminal disaccharides, CTH did not inhibit anti-P1. The P1 glycolipid and hydatid cyst glycoprotein inhibited the agglutination of P1K erythrocytes by anti-P1 and unabsorbed anti-P1PPK sera, but neither antigen inhibited a specific anti-PK serum. The P1 and PK glycolipids were equally effective in inhibiting the hemagglutinating activity of a lectin with alpha-galactosyl specificity obtained from ova of Salmo trutta. Anti-P sera were inhibited most effectively by human erythrocyte globoside, and to a lesser extent by Forssman glycolipid and rat kidney globoside. In the latter glycolipid the linkage between the internal galactosyl residues is alpha, 1 leads to 3, rather than alpha, 1 leads to 4, as in erythrocyte globoside. No cross-reactions between P and P1 or PK antigens were detected. New hypotheses are offered to explain the genetic regulation and biosynthesis of the P1, P, and PK antigens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens
  • Blood Group Antigens*
  • Carbohydrates / analysis
  • Ceramides / analysis
  • Erythrocytes / analysis
  • Glycosphingolipids / blood*
  • Glycosphingolipids / immunology
  • Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests
  • Humans
  • P Blood-Group System*

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Blood Group Antigens
  • Carbohydrates
  • Ceramides
  • Glycosphingolipids
  • P Blood-Group System