fCB 1995 4:235-242 Molecular genetics of H, Se, Lewis and other fucosyltransferase genes R. MOLLICONE, A. CAILLEAU, R. ORIOL Summary Seven human fucosyltransferase genes have been cloned and registered in the Genome Data Base IGDB) as FUT1 to FUT7. According to their acceptor specificity, two main groups of enzymes can be distinguished. - The o~-2-fucosyltransferases: FUT1 IH) of red cells and vascular endothelium and FUT2 {Se) of exocrine secretions. - The a-3-fucosyltransferases: FUT3 (Lewis) of exocrine secretions; FUT4 (myeloidc) of white cells and brain; FUT5 whose tissue distribution has not been defined as yet; FUT6 (plasma) present in plasma, renal proximal tubules and hepatocytes; FUT7 (leukocyte) found in neutrophils. A high DNA sequence homology has been detected among the genes within each of these two groups, while no homology has been detected between the genes of the two groups. Point mutations responsible of inactivating genetic polymorphisms have been found for FUT1, FUT2, FUT3 and FUT6, while FUT4 and FUT7 seem to be genetically monomorphic. FUT4 has been detected in all tissues of 5 to 10 weeks old human embryos suggesting that it may play a role in development. FUT7 is a candidate for the control of the synthesis of the receptors of selectin mediated cell adhesion. R~surn~. G6n6tique mol6culaire des g6nes H, Se, Lewis et autres fucosyltransf6rases Sept g6nes codant pour des o~-L-fucosyltransf6rases humaines ont 6t6 clon6s et enregistr6s de FUT1 ~ FUT7 dans la banque de donn6es GDB (Genome Data Base}. Suivant leurs sp6cificit6s de substrats on peut distinguer deux groupes d'enzymes. - Les u-2-fucosyltransf6rases dont FUT1 {H) contr61e l'expression des antig6nes ABH, ~ la surface des globules rouges et des endoth61iums et FUT2 {Se) celle des s6cr6tions exocrines. - Les a-3-fucosyltransf6rases dont FUT3 ILewis} s'exprime dans les s6cr6tions ; FUT4 Imy61oide} dans les cellules blanches et dans Correspondence to: INSERMU178, Universit6 Paris-Sud, 16 avenue Paul-Vaillant- Couturier, 94807 Villejuifcedex, France. 235