Turning universal O into rare Bombay type blood.
Anso, I., Naegeli, A., Cifuente, J.O., Orrantia, A., Andersson, E., Zenarruzabeitia, O., Moraleda-Montoya, A., Garcia-Alija, M., Corzana, F., Del Orbe, R.A., Borrego, F., Trastoy, B., Sjogren, J., Guerin, M.E.(2023) Nat Commun 14: 1765-1765
- PubMed: 36997505 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37324-z
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
7ZNZ, 7ZO0 - PubMed Abstract: 
Red blood cell antigens play critical roles in blood transfusion since donor incompatibilities can be lethal. Recipients with the rare total deficiency in H antigen, the O h Bombay phenotype, can only be transfused with group O h blood to avoid serious transfusion reactions. We discover FucOB from the mucin-degrading bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila as an α-1,2-fucosidase able to hydrolyze Type I, Type II, Type III and Type V H antigens to obtain the afucosylated Bombay phenotype in vitro. X-ray crystal structures of FucOB show a three-domain architecture, including a GH95 glycoside hydrolase. The structural data together with site-directed mutagenesis, enzymatic activity and computational methods provide molecular insights into substrate specificity and catalysis. Furthermore, using agglutination tests and flow cytometry-based techniques, we demonstrate the ability of FucOB to convert universal O type into rare Bombay type blood, providing exciting possibilities to facilitate transfusion in recipients/patients with Bombay phenotype.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Structural Glycobiology Laboratory, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, 48903, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain.