SsU antibodies are associated with deletion in which gene?

SsU antibodies are associated with deletion in which gene?

• A. RH/RHCE
• B. GYPB
• C. GYPA
• D. GYPA/GYPB

Answer: (B)

SsU antibodies arise when the glycophorin B protein, which carries the S, s, and U antigens, is missing because the GYPB gene is deleted. Without GYPB, red cells lack S, s, and U antigens, so exposure to donor cells expressing these antigens can lead to formation of anti-SsU antibodies. This is why SsU antibodies are associated with deletion of the GYPB gene. The other options involve glycophorin A (M/N) or the Rh system, which do not explain the SsU specificity since those antigens are not carried by the deleted glycophorin B.

SsU antibodies arise when the glycophorin B protein, which carries the S, s, and U antigens, is missing because the GYPB gene is deleted. Without GYPB, red cells lack S, s, and U antigens, so exposure to donor cells expressing these antigens can lead to formation of anti-SsU antibodies. This is why SsU antibodies are associated with deletion of the GYPB gene. The other options involve glycophorin A (M/N) or the Rh system, which do not explain the SsU specificity since those antigens are not carried by the deleted glycophorin B.