Biochemical and immunological studies on salivary blood group substances.

Salivas with various phenotypes were analyzed for chemical components and blood group activity after ultracentrifugation. Active blood group substances were isolated from saliva in the pellet form by sedimentation. Both the supernatant and the pellet suspended in original volume were studied for content of fucose, total hexose, protein, and sialic acid and the presence of blood group activity. Paper chromatography of these saliva pellets after acid hydrolysis demonstrated fucose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine. A Lewis negative non-secretor showed decreased fucose on the paper while a non-secretor Lewis positive Le(a + b - x +) saliva showed less fucose on chemical analysis. Immunodiffusion studies with the lectin Dolichos biflorus showed precipitation lines with A substance from saliva and with purified A blood group substance. Goat anti-Lea and goat anti-Leb serum produced two precipitin lines against Lea substance and one line against Leb substance present in non-secretor and secretor salivas, respectively. In addition, there was a line of identify among Lea saliva, purified Lea substance from saliva and purified Lea substance from ovarian cyst fluid.