H type 1 histo-blood group antigen (H type 1 HBGA)

The H type 1 histo-blood group antigen (HBGA) is a neutral carbohydrate structure characterized by the Fuc-alpha-1,2-Gal-beta-1,3-GlcNAc motif (Source: Marionneau et al., 2001, Glycobiology). It is primarily synthesized by the alpha-1,2-fucosyltransferase enzyme encoded by the FUT2 gene, which determines an individual's 'secretor' status (Source: Lindesmith et al., 2003, Nature Medicine). This antigen is expressed on the surface of epithelial cells and in mucosal secretions of the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urogenital tracts. Biologically, it serves as a critical attachment factor or coreceptor for various human pathogens, including noroviruses, rotaviruses, and Helicobacter pylori (Source: Tan and Jiang, 2014, Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine). Because of its role in pathogen entry, it is a significant target for the development of anti-infective decoys and vaccines. Therapeutic strategies often involve using synthetic oligosaccharides or human milk oligosaccharides, such as 2'-fucosyllactose, to competitively inhibit the binding of viral or bacterial ligands to these host glycans (Source: Weichert et al., 2016, Journal of Virology).

Other names

H type 1 antigenBlood group H type 1Fuc-alpha-1,2-Gal-beta-1,3-GlcNAcSecretor antigenH1 antigen

Competitive inhibition of pathogen binding to host cell surface glycans by acting as a soluble decoy.