Diversity of the human erythrocyte membrane sialic acids in relation with blood groups

• Published in: FEBS letters Vol. 534; no. 1; pp. 185 - 189
• Main Authors: Bulai, Tatiana, Bratosin, Daniela, Pons, Alexandre, Montreuil, Jean, Zanetta, Jean-Pierre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 16.01.2003
• Subjects: ABO Blood-Group System - chemistry; Blood group; Erythrocytes - chemistry; Erythrocytes - physiology; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; GC, gas chromatography; HFB, heptafluorobutyrate; HFBAA, heptafluorobutyric anhydride; Human erythrocyte; Humans; Kdn, 3-deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-nonulosonic acid; MS, mass spectrometry; N-Acetylneuraminic Acid - analysis; N-Acetylneuraminic Acid - blood; RBC, red blood cells; Red blood cell; Sialic acid; Sugar Acids - analysis; Sugar Acids - blood; The abbreviations of sialic acids are after Schauer and Kamerling; MS, mass spectrometry; Sialic acid; Blood group; Human erythrocyte; HFBAA, heptafluorobutyric anhydride; HFB, heptafluorobutyrate; Kdn, 3-deoxy- D-glycero- D-galacto-nonulosonic acid; Red blood cell; The abbreviations of sialic acids are after Schauer and Kamerling; RBC, red blood cells; GC, gas chromatography
• ISSN: 0014-5793; 1873-3468
• DOI: 10.1016/S0014-5793(02)03838-3

The composition of the human erythrocyte membrane (RBC) glycoprotein- and glycolipid-bound sialic acids of A, B, AB and O type donors was studied using a new method (Zanetta et al., Glycobiology 11 (2001) 663–676). In addition to Neu5Ac as the major compound, Kdn, Neu5,9Ac 2, Neu5,7Ac 2, Neu (de- N-acetylated-Neu5Ac), Neu5Ac8Me, Neu5Ac9Lt, Neu4,5Ac 2, Neu5,8Ac 29Lt and Neu5Ac8S were characterised. Among these different compounds, Neu5Ac8Me, Neu5Ac9Lt, Neu4,5Ac 2, Neu5,8Ac 29Lt and Neu5Ac8S have never been described and quantitatively determined before in human tissues or cells. Neu5Gc and its O-alkylated or O-acylated derivatives were not detected.