Question

Draw the structure of the O-type oligosaccharide (the H antigen, described in Table 8-1).

Short answer

H antigen consists of L-fucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine. It is the precursor for antigens A and B.

Step-by-step solution

H antigen

H-antigen is present in the O blood group and also acts as a precursor molecule for antigens A and B. L-fucose is combined with galactose by with α (1→2) Linkage. Galactose forms the linkage with N-acetyl glucosamine by β (1→4) Linkage. N-acetyl glucosamine is linked with another galactose sugar by β (1→3).

O-type oligosaccharide

Oligosaccharides determine the type of blood group of one person.

L-fucose, galactose, and N-acetylglucosamine combined together and form H antigen.