Changes in the specificity of blood-group mucopolysaccharides induced by enzymes from Trichomonas foetus

Abstract

The action of partially purified enzyme preparations from Trichomonas foetus on the serological properties of the water-soluble A, B, H and Le^a human blood-group substances has been examined. Further evidence has been obtained for the presence in A and B substances of structures closely similar to, or identical with, the specific determinant groupings in H substance. In addition, it has been shown that enzymic destruction of H serological properties results in certain instances in a considerable increase in the reactivity of the H substance with Lewis anti-Le^a sera. The capacity to develop Le^a specificity appears to be related to the Lewis blood-group phenotype of the individual from whom the H substance is derived.

The significance of these results is discussed in relation to schemes which were put forward earlier for the biosynthesis of the blood-group mucopolysaccharides.