Fut1 - fucosyltransferase 1

This gene is one of three genes in mouse which encode a galactoside 2-L-fucosyltransferase. These genes differ in their developmental- and tissue-specific expression. The encoded type II membrane protein is anchored in the Golgi apparatus and controls the final step in the creation of alpha (1,2) fucosylated carbhohydrates by the addition of a terminal fucose in an alpha (1,2) linkage. This enzyme is required for the synthesis of the Lewis antigen as well as the H-antigen, a precursor of the A and B antigens of the ABH histo-blood group. The biological function of the fucosylated carbhohydrate products is thought to involve cell-adhesion and interactions with microorganisms. Disruption of this gene impairs development of the olfactory nerve and maturation of the glomerular layer of the main olfactory bulb. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants which encode distinct isoforms. [provided by RefSeq, Dec 2012]