Background of the antigen
PIGA belongs to the glycosyltransferase 1 family and is necessary for the synthesis of N-acetylglucosaminyl-phosphatidylinositol, the very early intermediate in GPI-anchor biosynthesis. Defects in PIGA are the cause of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) which is an acquired hemolytic blood disorder characterized by chronic hemolysis with hemoglobinuria, increased tendency to venous thrombosis, and variable degrees of bone marrow failure.