Galactoside 3(4)-L-fucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.65) belongs to the Lewis blood group system and is associated with Le(a/b) antigen.
[1] The biosynthesis of the carbohydrate antigen sialyl-Lewis X (sLe(x)) is dependent on the activity of an galactoside 3-fucosyltransferase.
This enzyme catalyses the transfer of fucose from GDP-beta-fucose to the 3-OH of N-acetylglucosamine present in lactosamine acceptors.
[2] Robust fucosyltransferase activity discourages bacterial adherence in the urethra of women.
Women with these receptors who do not have mucosal secretion of the fucosyltransferase enzyme to help block bacterial adherence are more likely to have colonization of E. coli and other coliforms from the rectum and less likely to have lactobacilli in the periurethral area, resulting in frequent episodes of cystitis.