We now know why some blood is missing a key antigen—leading to the creation of a new blood-grouping system. Experts believe even more discoveries are on the way.
In order to better understand this blood group system and be able to identify potential AnWj-negative blood donors, researchers sought to find the underlying genetic cause. But at first, it was far from obvious which gene, out of the many thousands in the human genome, was responsible for a person being AnWj-positive or -negative. However, the team had a hunch that a gene called MAL, important for various blood cell functions, might be involved. Genetic sequencing revealed that the AnWj-negative individuals they knew about all shared an unusual change in this important gene. Through extensive tests, the researchers eventually proved that a mutation in MAL could result in someone having AnWj-negative blood. They also noted that some people with certain cancers can develop a form of AnWj-negative blood, in cases where those cancers affect expression of the MAL gene in a particular way.
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We now know why some blood is missing a key antigen—leading to the creation of a new blood-grouping system. Experts believe even more discoveries are on the way.
In order to better understand this blood group system and be able to identify potential AnWj-negative blood donors, researchers sought to find the underlying genetic cause. But at first, it was far from obvious which gene, out of the many thousands in the human genome, was responsible for a person being AnWj-positive or -negative. However, the team had a hunch that a gene called MAL, important for various blood cell functions, might be involved. Genetic sequencing revealed that the AnWj-negative individuals they knew about all shared an unusual change in this important gene. Through extensive tests, the researchers eventually proved that a mutation in MAL could result in someone having AnWj-negative blood. They also noted that some people with certain cancers can develop a form of AnWj-negative blood, in cases where those cancers affect expression of the MAL gene in a particular way.
Read more: [https://www.wired.com/story/scientists-keep-discovering-new-blood-groups-type-anwj-nhs-abo-rhesus/](https://www.wired.com/story/scientists-keep-discovering-new-blood-groups-type-anwj-nhs-abo-rhesus/)