Chemistry of Lipid of the Posthemolytic Residue or Stroma of Erythrocytes

Abstract

Glycolipids were obtained from rabbit erythrocytes and reticulocytes. A new glycolipid, galactosyl-( 1→3)-galactosyl-( 1→3)-N-acetyl-glucosaminyl-(l→3)-galactosyl-(l→4)-glucosyl ceramide, was found as the main component of erythrocyte glycolipids. Galactosyl-(1→4)-galactosyl-(1→4)-glucosyl ceramide and a small amount of dihexosyl ceramide were also found. Unlike mature erythrocyte glycolipids, those of reticulocytes contain much mono- and di-hexosyl ceramide and an unknown glycolipid in addition to trihexosyl ceramide and ceramide pentasaccharide, suggesting that these glycolipids are metabolized actively in immature cells. The structure of the carbohydrate moiety in the ceramide pentasaccharide is very similar to that of the blood group B active mucoid from body fluids and the glycolipid inhibited hemagglutination of human B-erythrocytes by the corresponding iso-antibody.