Nature 290, 503 - 505 (09 April 1981); doi:10.1038/290503a0

Evidence that the serological determinant of H−Y antigen is carbohydrate

Mark Shapiro & Robert P. Erickson

Department of Human Genetics, Box 015, University of Michigan Medical School, 1137 E. Catherine Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA

The histocompatibility−Y (H−Y) antigen is a minor his to compatibility antigen which has been detected on cell surfaces from the heterogametic sexes of mammalian, bird, amphibian, teleost and invertebrate species¹⁻³. H−Y is thought to be a male-determining substance in mammals because of its almost perfect correlation with maleness among a variety of mammalian species. To characterize the molecular determinant responsible for H−Y-specific serological activity, H−Y-positive immunoabsorbent cells were first subjected to various treatments which alter protein or carbohydrate structure and then tested for their ability to absorb H−Y antisera. We present here evidence that the serological determinant of H−Y antigen is carbohydrate.

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