Two previously proposed P-1/P-2-differentiating and nine novel polymorphisms at the A4GALT (P-k) locus do not correlate with the presence of the P1 blood group antigen

• Background: The molecular genetics of the P blood group system and the absence of P1 antigen in the p phenotype are still enigmatic. One theory proposes that the same gene encodes for both the P1 and P-k glycosyltransferases, but no polymorphisms in the coding region of the P-k gene explain the P-1/P-2 phenotypes. We investigated the potential regulatory regions up- and downstream of the A4GALT (P-k) gene exons. Results: P-1 (n = 18) and P-2 (n = 9) samples from donors of mainly Swedish descent were analysed by direct sequencing of PCR-amplified 5'- and 3'-fragments surrounding the P-k coding region. Seventy-eight P-1 and P-2 samples were investigated with PCR using allele-specific primers (ASP) for two polymorphisms previously proposed as P-2-related genetic markers(- 551_-550insC, -160A>G). Haplotype analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms was also performed with PCR-ASP. In similar to 1.5 kbp of the 3'-untranslated region one new insertion and four new substitutions compared to a GenBank sequence (AL049757) were found. In addition to the polymorphisms at positions - 550 and - 160, one insertion, two deletions and one substitution were found in similar to 1.0 kbp of the 5'-upstream region. All 20 P-2 samples investigated with PCR-ASP were homozygous for -550insC. However, so were 18 of the 58 P-1 samples investigated. Both the 20 P-2 and the 18 P-1 samples were also homozygous for -160G. Conclusion: The proposed P-2-specific polymorphisms, -551_-550insC and -160G, found in P-2 samples in a Japanese study were found here in homozygous form in both P-1 and P-2 donors. Since P-2 is the null allele in the P blood group system it is difficult to envision how these mutations would cause the P-2 phenotype. None of the novel polymorphisms reported in this study correlated with P-1/P-2 status and the P1/p mystery remains unsolved.

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MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Hematologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Hematology (hsv//eng)

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