The P1 histo-blood group antigen is present on human red blood cell glycoproteins

The P1 antigen was first described in 1927 and belongs to the P1PK histo-blood group system, together with P^k and NOR. The A4GALT-encoded 4-α-galactosyltransferase synthesizes these antigens and has been considered to extend glycolipids exclusively. However, contradicting studies have been published regarding the presence of P1 on human glycoproteins. In other species, P1 occurs on glycoproteins. Furthermore, human ABH antigens occur on both glycolipids and glycoproteins and are biochemically related to P1. Thus, we hypothesized that P1 is present on RBC glycoproteins in humans.

RBCs of known P₁ /P₂ status (phenotype and rs8138197 genotype) were used. The RBC surface glycans were modified with α-galactosidases, papain, and/or peptide-N-glycosidase F. RBC membrane proteins were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis/immunoblot. A new P ¹ /P ² -allelic discrimination assay based on rs5751348 was validated.

P1 occurs on various glycoproteins, seen as smearlike patterns in anti-P1-stained immunoblots with RBC membranes of P₁ but not P₂ or p phenotype. There was a significant difference between the staining of P ¹ -homozygous and P ¹ -heterozygous RBCs (P ¹ P ¹ > P ¹ P ² ), as well as intragenotypic variation. Immunoblotting banding patterns show major carriers at approximately 50 and 100 kDa. P1 staining was lost after treatment of RBCs with α-galactosidase of broad Galα-1,3/4/6-specificity. Peptide-N-glycosidase F treatment reduced the P1 signal, while papain or α-1,3-specific galactosidase did not. P ¹ /P ² status was confirmed by a new rs5751348 assay.

Our data indicate that the P1 antigen can reside on human RBC glycoproteins. Glycosidase studies suggest that at least part of the epitopes occur on N-glycans.