Discovered over 100 years ago, the ABO blood groups were determined by the ABO gene. The gene encodes a glycosyltransferase, which transfers N-acetyl D-galactosamine (group A) or D-galactose (group B) to the nonreducing ends of glycans on glycoproteins and glycolipids. The blood group H antigen is located in the nonreducing ends of the glycans in the group O subjects, resulting from the inactivation of the A1 glycosyltransferase gene. The A/B/H antigenic determinants were shown to be oligosaccharides. These carbohydrate antigens exist in a number of variant forms expressed on glycoproteins, glycolipids and oligosaccharides which are ubiquitously distributed on cell surfaces, in the extracellular matrix, in secretions, and in staggering numbers.

The Lewis antigen system is intimately associated with ABO blood group system and the secretor system biochemically, though the genetic loci are not linked. Synthesized by intestinal epithelial cells, Lewis antigens are fucosylated glycolipids that circulate in plasma and are passively adsorbed onto red blood cells (RBCs). Lewis^a and Lewis^b are synthesized step by step by two separate fucosyltransferases: Lewis (FUT3) and Secretor (FUT2), which add fucose moieties onto type 1 glycoprotein chains to form Lewis^a and type 1 chain H antigen, respectively. Lewis gene can also add a second fucose to type 1 H antigen to form Lewis^b antigen. Lewis^x and Lewis^y, which are not detected on red cells, are isomers of Lewis^a and Lewis^b, respectively.

Creative Biolabs offers diverse blood group products with high-quality, including but not limited to Lewis^a/Lewis^b/Lewis^x/Lewis^y trisaccharides, tetrasaccharides and pentasaccharides, and blood group A/blood group B/blood group H trisaccharides, tetrasaccharides and pentasaccharides. Our professional technical scientists and comprehensive powerful platform make us a perfect partner to help our worldwide customers with their cutting-edge research projects. For more detailed information, please feel free to contact us or directly send us an inquiry.