General
Characteristics of Rh Antigens
Where are antigens found:
Only on red blood cells
Proteins of 416 amino acids
(polypeptides) that traverse the membrane
12 times and displays (6) short loops of amino acids on the exterior of cell
Composition of Rh antigens:
Unlike other blood groups,
Rh antigens have no carbohydrates
Carbohydrate concentration:
Cation transport and
membrane integrity
Functions of Rh antigen:
Lack of Rh antigens (RHnull) causes stomatocytosis of red cells and this causes a shortened survival time for the RBCs
RBC morphology associated with lack of Rh
antigens:
Inheritance of Rh genes:
2 gene inheritance: 1 for D
and other for CcEe