Competition between ABO and Le gene specified enzymes. II. Quantitative analysis of A and B antigens in saliva of ABH nonsecretors.

One B- and two A-specific radioimmunoassays detected A and B antigenic determinants in saliva of ABH nonsecretors. The A or B antigens found in saliva of nonsecretors had lower efficiency and higher heterogeneity, in the inhibition of the A or B assays, as compared to A or B antigens in saliva of ABH secretors. In the 3 assays, samples of nonsecretor Lewis positive donors (Lea) had less A or B antigens than samples of nonsecretor Lewis negative donors (Lec), suggesting that there is a competition between A or B and Le gene-specified products.