OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of alpha-1,3-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase gene variants on A antigen expression in a family where a member was suspected for a rare A3 subtype of the ABO variant.

METHODSSerological assay was carried out to determine the ABO blood group of the proband and his family members. To determine the haploid of the alpha-1,3-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase gene of the proband, DNA was extracted and genotyped with sequence-specific primer PCR (PCR-SSP) followed by direct sequencing and cloning of exons 6 and 7 of the ABO locus.

RESULTSWeak A antigen was detected on red blood cells of the proband, while anti-A and anti-B antibodies were detected in his serum. DNA sequencing showed a 261delG mutation in exon 6, and two heterozygote mutations (467C>T and 745C>T) in exon 7 of the alpha-1,3-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase gene. Haplotype analysis has identified two alleles A307 and O01. Compared with the A101 allele, the A307 allele has harbored two nucleotides changes (467C>T and 745C>T), which resulted in substitution of two amino acids (P156L and R249W).

CONCLUSIONThe 467C>T and 745C>T mutations of the alpha-1,3-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase gene can result in an A307 phenotype with reduced expression of A antigen.