Heterozygosity of CDAN II (HEMPAS) gene may be detected by the analysis of erythrocyte membrane glycoconjugates from healthy carriers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia (CDA) type I, II, and III, is associated with abnormalities of erythrocyte membrane glycoconjugates that are most pronounced in type II CDA or hereditary erythroblastic multinuclearity with a positive acidified-serum test (HEMPAS). The abnormalities consist in hypoglycosylation of polylactoaminoglycans linked to proteins (as in band 3 glycoprotein) and ceramides (known under the name of polyglycosylceramides) as well as in accumulation of some oligoglycosylceramides: lactotriaosylceramide, neolactotetraosylceramide, and sometimes globotetraosylceramide. Glycophorin A is partially unglycosylated with respect to O-linked glycans. Types I and II of the disease are inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. The aim of the present study was to investigate a possibility that heterozygosity with respect to CDAN2 gene in healthy carriers could be detected by analysis of erythrocyte membrane glycoconjugates.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We examined a family which consisted of heterozygous parents and their two sons, one of whom was afflicted with CDA II (proband) while the other was healthy. In all family members the glycosylation status of band 3 glycoprotein, polyglycosylceramides and glycophorin A was evaluated from their carbohydrate molar composition. In addition we determined erythrocyte membrane contents of oligo- and polyglycosylceramides, and agglutinability of erythrocytes by anti-i antibody.

RESULTS

We found that the heterozygous parents showed, but about 50% less pronounced, most of the typical abnormalities of erythrocyte membrane glycoconjugates that were present in the proband. These abnormalities included: hypoglycosylation of band 3, accumulation and hypoglycosylation of polyglycosylceramides, and accumulation of lactotriaosylceramide. The level of neolactotetraosylceramide in the erythrocyte membranes of the parents was, however, normal. Globotetraosylceramide content was elevated in erythrocytes from the proband and, surprisingly, even more so in the parents. Glycophorin A in the proband was only slightly abnormal. Erythrocytes from both the parents and the proband expressed increased agglutinability with anti-i antibody. All glycoconjugates examined were normal in erythrocytes from the healthy son.

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

Individuals heterozygous with respect to CDAN2 gene can be identified through determination of the carbohydrate molar composition of band 3 and polyglycosylceramides as well as by an elevated erythrocyte content of polyglycosylceramides. In the parents these abnormalities show dosage effects. Determination of the carbohydrate molar composition of glycophorin A and of oligoglycosylceramides seems to be less promising. These findings indicate that the analysis of erythrocyte membrane glycoconjugates may be a valuable addition to the repertoire of methods used in studies on the genetics of CDA.