Glycoprotein alpha-galactosyltransferase 2, pseudogene (GGTA2P)

GGTA2P is a human pseudogene corresponding to glycoprotein alpha-galactosyltransferase 2, which in other mammals encodes an enzyme responsible for generating the α-Gal epitope (Galα1,3Galβ1,4GlcNAc-R) on the surface of cells[2][4][6]. In humans, frame shift mutations and premature stop codons render the gene non-functional, and thus, humans do not produce the α-Gal epitope[6]. The inactivation of this gene in humans and Old World primates resulted in the loss of immune tolerance to the α-Gal epitope and the evolution of natural anti-Gal antibodies[6]. While the functional enzyme is relevant for xenotransplantation and immunology in non-primate mammals, the human GGTA2P has no direct therapeutic, receptor, transporter, or enzyme role. Key notes: - GGTA2P does not code for a functional protein in humans and is therefore not considered a therapeutic target, receptor, or active enzyme[2][4][6]. - It is often referenced in evolutionary biology and xenotransplantation literature, as the absence of this enzyme’s product (the α-Gal epitope) in humans underlies natural anti-Gal antibody production, relevant for immune reactions to animal tissues[6].

Other names

GGTA1PGLYT2LGLYT3HGT2alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase pseudogeneglycoprotein alpha-galactosyltransferase 1 pseudogene