Glycophorin-B (GYPB) Antibody

Background

Glycophorin B (GYPB) is a glycoprotein found on the surface of human red blood cells (RBCs), encoded by the GYPB gene. GYPB, along with its closely related counterpart Glycophorin A (GYPA), is integral to the erythrocyte membrane's structure and function and contributes to the MNS blood group system, which is important in transfusion medicine. The MNS blood group antigens, primarily expressed on GYPA and GYPB, define variations in RBC surfaces and can provoke immune responses in transfusion and transplantation contexts. The Ss antigens, present specifically on GYPB, are responsible for variations in RBC surfaces and are known for their immunogenic properties. Besides its role in the blood group system, GYPB contributes to the physical properties of RBCs and plays a role in host-pathogen interactions. The gene encoding GYPB is highly homologous to GYPA, and these two genes likely originated through gene duplication and share considerable sequence identity. GYPB's specific structural characteristics and glycosylation pattern contribute to its interactions with pathogens, making it relevant in infectious disease dynamics, especially in malaria research, given that certain Plasmodium species use glycophorins to invade RBCs.