Studies in immunochemistry. 11. The isolation and properties of the human blood-group H substance

Abstract

Methods for the isolation and purification of the human blood-group H substance from ovarian cyst fluids are described. The H substance is a levorotatory mucoid which contains about 5.3% N and is similar in general composition and properties to the mucoids which are responsible for the human blood-group A, B and Lewis (Lea) characters. The H substance obtained is somewhat polydisperse, but is essentially homogeneous with respect to certain physical, chemical, immunochemical and serol. properties. L-Fucose, D-galactose, D-glucosamine, D-chondrosamine and 11 amino acids were identified as components of the H substance. The acid hydrolysis products contain 14% fucose, 54% reducing substances, expressed as glucose, and 31% hexosamine. The alpha-amino acid N is equivalent to about 41% and the alpha-amino N to 88% of the total N. Possible relationships between the products of the A, B and O genes and the H substance are discussed.