The CD235a antigen, also called Glycophorin A, is a transmembrane, single-pass glycoprotein that contains carbohydrate, mostly in the form of sialic acid. CD235a has a molecular weight of 10 kDa. It is expressed by erythroid precursors and erythrocytes. Glycophorins A carries the antigen determinants for the MNS blood groups and has been proposed to be an inhibitor of hemagglutination and hemolysis. Glycophorin A binds siglec 5, and may also serves as receptor for cytokines and pathogens, including the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum and some viruses, including influenza virus and hepatitis A virus.