Biochemical and Immunological Studies on Salivary Blood Group Substances

Abstract

Salivas with various phenotypes were analyzed for chemical components and blood group activity after ultracentrifugation. Active blood group substances were isolated from saliva in the pellet form by sedimentation. Both the supernatant and the pellet suspended in original volume were studied for content of fucose, total hexose, protein, and sialic acid and the presence of blood group activity. Paper chromatography of these saliva pellets after acid hydrolysis demonstrated fucose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine. A Lewis negative non-secretor showed decreased fucose on the paper while a non-secretor Lewis positive Le(a + b — x + ) saliva showed less fucose on chemical analysis. Immunodiffusion studies with the lectin Dolichos biflorus showed precipitation lines with A substance from saliva and with purified A blood group substance. Goat anti-Le^a and goat anti-Le^b serum produced two precipitin lines against Le^a substance and one line against Le^b substance present in non-secretor and secretor salivas, respectively. In addition, there was a line of identity among Le^a saliva, purified Le^a substance from saliva and purified Le^a substance from ovarian cyst fluid.