Abstract
Exposed on the surfaces of cells are glycoproteins and glycolipids. Regions of these molecules, usually parts of the carbohydrate or polypeptide moieties, are involved in a wide range of cellular phenomena including cell-cell recognition and adhesion, and the specific binding of hormones or small molecules. They are also attachment sites for bacteria and viruses. The structure of surface molecules are determined genetically and are specific for a particular individual. The polypeptide regions of the molecules are specified by structural genes. The oligosaccharide moiety of a glycoprotein or glycolipid is determined by genes that code for the enzymes responsible for assembling the oligosaccharides.
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Further Reading
Dodd, B.E. and Lincoln, P.J. (1975) Blood Group Topics, Edward Arnold, London
Ploegh, H.L., Orr, H.T. and Strominger, J.L. (1981) ‘Major Histocompatibility Antigens’, Cell, 24, 287 - 99
Race, R.R. and Sanger, R. (1975) Blood Groups in Man, 6th edition, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford
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© 1982 N.J. Russell, G.M. Powell, J.G. Jones, P.J. Winterburn and J.M. Basford
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Russell, N.J., Powell, G.M., Jones, J.G., Winterburn, P.J., Basford, J.M. (1982). Blood and Tissue Antigens. In: Blood Biochemistry. Croom Helm Biology in Medicine Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7892-1_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7892-1_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-011-7894-5
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