[Molecular biology of Lewis antigens--histo-blood type antigens and sialyl Lewis antigens as tumor associated antigens]. 1996

H Narimatsu
Division of Cell Biology, Soka University, Hachioji, Japan.

The biosynthetic pathways of the Lewis histo-blood type antigens, Lewis a (Le(a)) and Lewis b (Le(b)), in correlation with ABH antigen synthesis and the synthesis of sialyl Lewis antigens, sialyl Lewis a (sLe(a)) and sialy Lewis x (sLe(x)), known as tumor associated antigens are described based on the recent molecular biological studies. Individuals are divided by their erythrocyte Lewis antigen phenotypes into three types, Le (a+b-) which has Le(a) antigen but not Le(b) antigen, Le (a-b+) which has Leb but not Le(a), and Le (a-b-) having neither Le(a) nor Leb. It was verified that Le (a-b-) individuals are the homozygotes with the nonfunctional Lewis gene (Le gene) which is inactivated by the missense mutations. Two kinds of the inactivated Le gene alleles were found in the Japanese population, and named le1 and le2. Individuals having a Le (a+b-) or a Le (a-b-) -non-secretor phenotype are the mutants who lack the secretor enzyme (Se enzyme) activity. The Se gene encoding the Se enzyme has been recently cloned and analyzed for the mutation resulting in inactivation of the Se enzyme of the non-secretor individuals. Our Se gene mutant analyses on the Japanese population ensured that the Se gene is responsible for synthesis of the Le(b) antigen. Mutant analyses of the other genes, H gene and FucTVI gene, which are also involved in the synthesis of Lewis antigens are described. We recently demonstrated that the sLe(a) antigen is the product of the Lewis gene since all le/le patients, who are determined as the genuine Lewis negative individuals by Le genotyping, did not express any kinds of type 1 chain Lewis antigens (Le(a), Le(b), and sLe(a)) in their digestive organs. It is, therefore, unuseful to measure the CA19-9 titer of the genuine Lewis negative cancer patients.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007564 Japan A country in eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula. The capital is Tokyo. Bonin Islands
D007983 Lewis Blood Group Antigens Carbohydrate antigens structurally related to the ABH BLOOD-GROUP SYSTEM. They may occur as a modification of saccharide chains on glycolipids or glycoproteins on cell surfaces or in plasma, or as free oligosaccharides in secretions. Lewis antigens are not synthesized in blood cells. Instead Lewis glycolipids present in plasma are absorbed onto the surface of ERYTHROCYTES; LYMPHOCYTES; and PLATELETS. The phenotypes Le(a) and Le(b) are the result of the actions of two genes the Le gene (fucosyltransferase FUT3) and the Se gene (fucosyltransferase FUT2) on the precursor carbohydrate, glycolipid or glycoprotein. Other FUCOSYLTRANSFERASES can also synthesize the Lewis antigens. Blood Group Lewis Related Antigens,Lewis Antigen Related Tumor-Associated Antigens,Lewis Antigens,Lewis Blood Group Related Antigens,Lewis Blood Group Related Tumor-Associated Antigens,Lewis Blood-Group System,Lewis Related Antigens,Lewis System,Sialyl Lewis Antigens,Le Antigens,Le(a) Blood Group System,Antigens, Lewis,Antigens, Lewis Related,Antigens, Sialyl Lewis,Blood-Group System, Lewis,Lewis Antigen Related Tumor Associated Antigens,Lewis Blood Group Related Tumor Associated Antigens,Lewis Blood Group System
D009154 Mutation Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations. Mutations
D010641 Phenotype The outward appearance of the individual. It is the product of interactions between genes, and between the GENOTYPE and the environment. Phenotypes
D005838 Genotype The genetic constitution of the individual, comprising the ALLELES present at each GENETIC LOCUS. Genogroup,Genogroups,Genotypes
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D016256 Lewis X Antigen A trisaccharide antigen expressed on glycolipids and many cell-surface glycoproteins. In the blood the antigen is found on the surface of NEUTROPHILS; EOSINOPHILS; and MONOCYTES. In addition, Lewis X antigen is a stage-specific embryonic antigen. Antigens, CD15,CD15 Antigens,Le(X) Antigen,Leu-M1 Antigens,Lewis X Related Antigens,SSEA-1,SSEA-1 Determinant,Stage-Specific Embryonic Antigen-1,3 alpha-Fucosyl-N-Acetyl Lactosamine,CD15 Antigen,Galbeta(1-4)Fucalpha(1-3)GlcNAc,Hapten X,Lewis X Hapten,SSEA 1,3 alpha Fucosyl N Acetyl Lactosamine,Antigen, Lewis X,Embryonic Antigen-1, Stage-Specific,Leu M1 Antigens,SSEA 1 Determinant,Stage Specific Embryonic Antigen 1,X Antigen, Lewis,X Hapten, Lewis

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