It includes four red blood cell surface glycoprotein antigens which are encoded by alleles of the gene SLC29A1.
[1] The protein which acts as the Augustine antigens is equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1, a transmembrane glycoprotein that mediates cellular uptake of nucleosides.
[3] Antibodies against Augustine system antigens can be stimulated by pregnancy or blood transfusion and have the potential to cause severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn and acute hemolytic transfusion reactions.
[3] Individuals with the null phenotype, lacking any form of the transporter protein, have mineralization around the joints, ectopic calcification, and abnormal red blood cells.
[1] The blood group system was named Augustine after the surname of the individual with the first identified anti-Ata antibody, a woman of African ancestry whose third child had a positive direct antiglobulin test at birth.