Biotechnology Forums

Full Version: Blood Groups - Different protein structure?
You're currently viewing a stripped down version of our content. View the full version with proper formatting.
Do different Blood Groups have a different protein make - up?
i.e. the protein profile of each blood group would be different?
(06-15-2015, 09:29 PM)Kanny Wrote: [ -> ]Do different Blood Groups have a different protein make - up?
i.e. the protein profile of each blood group would be different?

Hi Kanny,

The answer to your question is "NO" (if we are talking about ABO blood groups).
The answer to your question is "YES" (if we are talking about Rh (+ and - ) groups).

The RBC membrane of a person's blood cells contains millions of antigens that are ignored by the immune system. These antigens can either be: (a) Proteins  or (b) Sugars. It's the presence/absence of different types of antigens that decides the "Blood Group(s)".

Now, given the fact that, ABO blood groups are decided by "Sugar" antigens, the ABO groups are thus expected to have identical protein make-up. On the other hand, Rh blood groups (i.e Rh negative or Rh positive) are decided by the presence or absence of "D antigen", which is a protein, and hence Rh blood groups aren't expected to have identical protein make-up.

Hope it helps

Best wishes
Sunil
It was with respect to the point that can we have protein profiling done for these blood groups and find different proteins in each group..not all but may be a few.!
When you say blood groups, I assume you are looking forward to finding transcriptome of the blood cells? In that case you should find the enzymes specific to the antigenic profile. So the answer is yes in that case. But isnt that an expensive and time consuming affair?
Yes..probably!
Will check and get back..Thankyou!