The molecular genetics of the human I locus and molecular background explain the partial association of the adult i phenotype with congenital cataracts

Blood. 2003 Mar 15;101(6):2081-8. doi: 10.1182/blood-2002-09-2693. Epub 2002 Nov 7.

Abstract

The human i and I antigens are characterized as linear and branched repeats of N-acetyllactosamine, respectively. Conversion of the i to the I structure requires I-branching beta-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase activity. It has been noted that the null phenotype of I, the adult i phenotype, is associated with congenital cataracts in Asians. Previously, the identification of molecular changes in the IGnT gene, associated with the adult i phenotype, has been reported. In the present study, we demonstrate that the human I locus expresses 3 IGnT forms, designated IGnTA, IGnTB, and IGnTC, which have different exon 1, but identical exons 2 and 3, coding regions. The molecular genetics proposed for the I locus offer a new perspective on the formation and expression of the I antigen in different cells and provide insight into the questions derived from investigation of the adult i phenotype. Molecular genetic analyses of the I loci of the 2 adult i groups, with and without congenital cataracts, were performed, and enzyme function assays and expression patterns for the 3 IGnT transcripts in reticulocytes and lens-epithelium cells were analyzed. The results suggest a molecular genetic mechanism that may explain the partial association of the adult i phenotype with congenital cataracts and indicate that a defect in the I locus may lead directly to the development of congenital cataracts. The results also suggest that the human blood group I gene should be reassigned to the IGnTC form, not the IGnTB form, as described previously.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alleles
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Asian People
  • Cataract / congenital*
  • Cataract / genetics*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6
  • DNA, Complementary / analysis
  • Humans
  • I Blood-Group System / genetics*
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Lens, Crystalline / enzymology
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / chemistry
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / genetics*
  • Phenotype*
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Reticulocytes / enzymology
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Taiwan
  • White People

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • I Blood-Group System
  • Isoenzymes
  • RNA, Messenger
  • N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase IGnT
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases