Which lectin is used to differentiate A1 from A2 subgroups?

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Multiple Choice

Which lectin is used to differentiate A1 from A2 subgroups?

Differentiating A1 from A2 relies on a lectin that binds specifically to the A1 antigen. Dolichos biflorus lectin recognizes the A1 epitope strongly on red cells, producing agglutination with A1 cells but not with A2 cells, which have much less of that A1 determinant. This selective reactivity makes Dolichos biflorus the best choice for telling A1 from A2. For context, other lectins react to different aspects of ABO or related antigens but aren’t as useful for this distinction: Ulex europaeus targets the H antigen and helps with Bombay phenotyping; Jacalin can bind A antigens but is not as specific for the A1 vs A2 difference; Peanut agglutinin binds different structures and isn’t used to separate A1 from A2.

Differentiating A1 from A2 relies on a lectin that binds specifically to the A1 antigen. Dolichos biflorus lectin recognizes the A1 epitope strongly on red cells, producing agglutination with A1 cells but not with A2 cells, which have much less of that A1 determinant. This selective reactivity makes Dolichos biflorus the best choice for telling A1 from A2.

For context, other lectins react to different aspects of ABO or related antigens but aren’t as useful for this distinction: Ulex europaeus targets the H antigen and helps with Bombay phenotyping; Jacalin can bind A antigens but is not as specific for the A1 vs A2 difference; Peanut agglutinin binds different structures and isn’t used to separate A1 from A2.

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