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Lewis Blood Group Antigens MeSH Descriptor Data 2025
Carbohydrate antigens structurally related to the ABH BLOOD-GROUP SYSTEM. They may occur as a modification of saccharide chains on glycolipids or glycoproteins on cell surfaces or in plasma, or as free oligosaccharides in secretions. Lewis antigens are not synthesized in blood cells. Instead Lewis glycolipids present in plasma are absorbed onto the surface of ERYTHROCYTES; LYMPHOCYTES; and PLATELETS. The phenotypes Le(a) and Le(b) are the result of the actions of two genes the Le gene (fucosyltransferase FUT3) and the Se gene (fucosyltransferase FUT2) on the precursor carbohydrate, glycolipid or glycoprotein. Other FUCOSYLTRANSFERASES can also synthesize the Lewis antigens.
Entry Term(s)
Blood Group Lewis Related Antigens
Le Antigens
Le(a) Blood Group System
Lewis Antigen Related Tumor-Associated Antigens
Lewis Antigens
Lewis Blood Group Related Antigens
Lewis Blood Group Related Tumor-Associated Antigens
Carbohydrate antigens structurally related to the ABH BLOOD-GROUP SYSTEM. They may occur as a modification of saccharide chains on glycolipids or glycoproteins on cell surfaces or in plasma, or as free oligosaccharides in secretions. Lewis antigens are not synthesized in blood cells. Instead Lewis glycolipids present in plasma are absorbed onto the surface of ERYTHROCYTES; LYMPHOCYTES; and PLATELETS. The phenotypes Le(a) and Le(b) are the result of the actions of two genes the Le gene (fucosyltransferase FUT3) and the Se gene (fucosyltransferase FUT2) on the precursor carbohydrate, glycolipid or glycoprotein. Other FUCOSYLTRANSFERASES can also synthesize the Lewis antigens.
Carbohydrate antigens structurally related to the Lewis blood group system antigens. They include substrates for the Le gene product, Le(c) and Le(d); ISOANTIGENS of the Lewis antigens; sialated versions of the Lewis antigens and their isoantigens; and other derivatives of the Le antigens and their isoantigens. They are indicated as so with the word Lewis or the letters Le in the name or abbreviation of the antigen.