Studies on the Structure and I-Blood-Group Activity of Poly(glycosyl)ceramides

Abstract

Employing a modified technique of acetolysis, which allows almost a complete recovery of constituent sugars from poly(glycosyl)ceramides, the glycolipids were found to contain an excess of N-acetylglucosamine over galactose. On the basis of Smith degradation, methylation study, chromium trioxide degradation and the structures of oligosaccharides released from the glycolipids by partial acid hydrolysis, the presence of two types of sugar sequences has been established in poly(glycosyl)ceramides: The repeating unit of poly(glycosyl)ceramides seems to be the GlcNAcβ1→3Gal sequence. The specificity of one anti-I serum (Woj) is directed against the non-reducing ending of the first kind of chain. Three other anti-I sera reacted with inner portions of the oligosaccharide chains of the glycolipids.