[Analysis of two novel variants of FUT1 gene in a Chinese family with para-Bombay phenotype].

OBJECTIVE To study rare para-Bombay blood type Bmh and to investigate the molecular genetic basis of para-Bombay phenotype in a Chinese family. METHODS ABO and H phenotype of the proband and her pedigree were determined with serological methods. The ABO genotype was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer(PCR-SSP). The full coding region of alpha-l,2 fucosyltransferase (FUT1) gene of the pedigree was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing of the amplified fragments. The haplotype of the FUT1 gene were analyzed by cloning sequencing. RESULTS The rare para-Bombay blood type Bmh was identified in the proband, with ABO*B.01/ABO*O.01.01 genotype. Two variants of FUT1 gene, c.508dupT and c.787A>C, were found in the proband. The cloning sequencing revealed that the two variants were on different alleles, and the haplotype of FUT1 gene was h508dupT/h787C. Both of the two variants were predicted to cause inactivation of the enzyme, which is consistent with the result of serological techniques. CONCLUSION Two new alleles of FUT1 gene (h508dupT and h787C), which were associated with para-Bombay phenotype, were identified in the Chinese pedigree.