A possible biological function of carbohydrate structures which are typical of erythrocytes.

Abstract

Carbohydrates of erythrocyte glycoconjugates seem to be specifically designed so that they do not appreciably interact with other types of cells or ligands. This applies to glycosphingolipids (GSLs) and glycoproteins (GPs). An important distinction between the two types of glycoconjugates seems to be that GPs, apart from carrying carbohydrates, have some biological function which is most likely associated with their protein moieties. GSLs of erythrocytes, including the ABH, PP1 and Pk blood group substances, are viewed as energetically cheap membrane-packing substances filling in the membrane areas not covered by functional GPs. Their sole function should be the formation of inert carbohydrate protective layer at the membrane. The role of the inert carbohydrate structures in the development, tumorigenesis and evolution of blood group polymorphism is discussed.