RESUMO
Glycolipids of murine lymphoma cell lines with low metastatic (Eb) and high metastatic (ESb) potentials have been investigated. The Eb cell line was characterized by a high quantity of gangliotriaosylceramide (Gg3), gangliotetraosylceramide (Gg4), GM1b, and a new type of disialoganglioside, termed GD1 alpha. In contrast, the high metastatic ESb cell line was characterized by the absence of these glycolipids and instead by the presence of GM3, GM2, GM1a, GD1a, and GD1b gangliosides. A clear cell surface reactivity with monoclonal antibody anti-Gg3 (2D4) was observed only in Eb cells. Thus, Eb cells are distinct from ESb cells in their ability to add the GalNAc residue to LacCer, supplying Gg3 for synthesis of a series of glycolipids via an asialogangliotetraosyl pathway, while ESb cells are capable of synthesizing GM3, which initiates synthesis of ganglio-series gangliosides GM2, GM1a, GD1a, and GD1b. While disialogangliosides of ESb cells were identified as GD1a and GD1b, a disialoganglioside isolated from Eb cells was characterized as having a novel structure (referred to as GD1 alpha) as follows: (formula; see text) Thus, Eb and ESb cells are clearly different in their qualitative sialylation patterns, i.e., the position of sialic acid residues. Cell surface labeling with galactose-oxidase/NaB[3H]4 revealed a high exposure of Gg3 and Gg4 at the Eb cell surface, while both labels were absent in ESb cells. In contrast, ESb cells showed a substantial label at GM1a, which was greatly enhanced after sialidase treatment.
Assuntos
Gangliosídeos/metabolismo , Glicolipídeos/metabolismo , Linfoma/metabolismo , Metástase Neoplásica , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais , Sequência de Carboidratos , Cromatografia em Camada Fina , Linfoma/patologia , Lipídeos de Membrana/metabolismo , Camundongos , Linfócitos TRESUMO
Blood group H antigen with globo-series structure, reacting with the monoclonal antibody MBrl, was isolated and characterized from human blood group O erythrocytes. The structure was identified by methylation analysis, direct probe mass spectrometry, and 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as shown below: Fuc alpha 1----2Gal beta 1----3GalNAc beta 1----3Gal alpha 1----4Glc beta 1----1Cer.
Assuntos
Sistema ABO de Grupos Sanguíneos/imunologia , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Cromatografia em Camada Fina , Membrana Eritrocítica/imunologia , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas , Globosídeos/análise , Glicolipídeos/análise , Humanos , Espectrometria de MassasRESUMO
Acidic glycosphingolipid components were extracted from the yeast form of the dimorphic mycopathogen Sporothrix schenckii. Two minor and the major fraction from the yeast form (Ss-Y1, -Y2, and -Y6, respectively) have been isolated. By a combination of 1- and 2-D 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), Ss-Y6 was determined to be triglycosylinositol phosphorylceramide with a novel glycan structure, Manalpha1-->3Manalpha1-->6GlcNH(2)alpha1-->2Ins1-P-1Cer (where Ins=myo-inositol, P=phosphodiester). While the GlcNH(2)alpha1-->6Ins1-P- motif is found widely distributed in eukaryotic GPI anchors, the linkage GlcNH(2)alpha1-->2Ins1-P- has not been previously observed in any glycolipid. Ss-Y1 and Ss-Y2 were both found to have the known glycan structure Manalpha1-->3Manalpha1-->2Ins1-P-1Cer. Together with the results of a prior study [Toledo et al. (2001) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 280, 19-24] which showed that the mycelium form expresses GIPCs with the structures Manalpha1-->6Ins1-P-1Cer and Manalpha1-->3Manalpha1-->6Ins1-P-1Cer, these results demonstrate that S. schenckii can synthesize glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides with at least three different core linkages.
Assuntos
Glicoesfingolipídeos/química , Esfingolipídeos/química , Sporothrix/química , Motivos de Aminoácidos , Sequência de Carboidratos , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Cromatografia em Camada Fina , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Modelos Químicos , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Conformação Proteica , Espectrometria de Massas por Ionização por Electrospray , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
The brush border-like surface of the tegument of the adult and the plerocercoid larva of a pseudophyllidean cestode, Spirometra mansonoides, has been shown to contain hydroxylated galactosylceramides. D-Galactosyl-N-(2-D-hydroxyoctadecanoyl)-D-phytosphingosine, D-galactosyl-N-(2-D-hydroxyoctadecanoyl)-D-dihydrosphingosine and D-galactosyl-N-(octadecanoyl)-D-phytosphingosine were identified as major glycosphingolipids in a tegumental plasma membrane fraction with associated microtriches, by combinations of chromatography (column, high performance thin-layer, gas-liquid), mass spectrometry (electron impact, field desorption, fast atom bombardment, collisionally induced decomposition) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. Galactosylceramides with hydroxylated long chain bases and fatty acids are known to occur in some eukaryotic microbes and in cells of vertebrate tissues exposed to plasma membrane destabilizing environments. This has led to a proposal that the capacity of hydroxylated ceramide moieties for intermolecular hydrogen bonding among themselves and with phosphoglycerides acts to stabilize the plasma membrane. Saturated fatty acyl groups in the ceramides would enhance stabilization by their orderly packing in the lipid bilayer. Consequently, the presence of such hydroxylated galactosylceramides in the tegument surface of S. mansonoides may contribute to the maintenance of its normal barrier properties in the face of the varied environmental insults encountered by the cestode in its life-cycle.
Assuntos
Cerebrosídeos/análise , Cestoides/análise , Galactosilceramidas/análise , Spirometra/análise , Animais , Fenômenos Químicos , Química , Cromatografia Gasosa , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Cromatografia em Camada Fina , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas , Espectroscopia de Ressonância MagnéticaRESUMO
Analysis of glycolipids having repeating core-structures of type 2 chains ([Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----3]nGal beta 1----4Glc beta 1----1Cer) by 1- and 2-dimensional high resolution 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy shows that fucosylation alpha 1----3 to GlcNAc with or without fucosylation alpha 1----2 to Gal produces predictable chemical shifts of anomeric protons and systematic, glycosylation-induced shift changes. These effects were analyzed for a series of glycolipids of known structure bearing mono- and multimeric X [Gal beta 1----4(Fuc alpha 1----3)GlcNAc beta 1----3] and Y [Fuc alpha 1----2Gal beta 1----4-(Fuc alpha 1----3)GlcNAc beta 1----3] determinants, and were subsequently used to elucidate the primary saccharide structure of two novel glycolipids isolated from human liver adenocarcinoma. They are proposed to be Y determinants carried on a norhexaosylceramide core, with the following structures: (Formula: see text).
Assuntos
Glicolipídeos , Haptenos , Adenocarcinoma/metabolismo , Configuração de Carboidratos , Sequência de Carboidratos , Glicolipídeos/isolamento & purificação , Humanos , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética/métodosRESUMO
Various GM3 derivatives which are present in A431 cells have different effects on the activity of the EGF receptor kinase. In order to systematically study these effects, the following GM3 derivatives have been synthesized: de-N-acetyl-GM3 (D1), de-N-acetyl-lyso-GM3 (D2), lyso-GM3 (D3), de-N-acetyl-GM3 with N-acetylsphingosine (D4), and GM3 with N-acetylsphingosine (D3). A crucial step for the preparation of D1 is the use of mild alkaline conditions of hydrolysis under which the N-acetyl group of sialic acid is preferentially hydrolyzed. For the preparation of D3, conditions which allowed preferential N-acetylation of the amino group of the neuraminic acid moiety were devised, i.e., D2 was incorporated in a dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (dpPC) liposome in which the sphingosine moiety was protected and the amino group of neuraminic acid was N-acetylated with acetate and a water-soluble catalyst, 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (DEC). When an aqueous micellar solution of D2 was treated with acetic anhydride and sodium hydrogencarbonate, N-acetylation occurred at the amino groups of both neuraminosyl and sphingosyl residues, yielding D5. The structures of these derivatives were verified by 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.
Assuntos
Gangliosídeo G(M3)/síntese química , Gangliosídeos/síntese química , Acetilação , Animais , Fenômenos Químicos , Química , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Cães , Gangliosídeo G(M3)/análogos & derivados , Hidrólise , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Espectrometria de Massas , Estrutura Molecular , Ácido N-Acetilneuramínico , Ácidos SiálicosRESUMO
The antibody Fl shows preferential reactivity with adult erythrocytes over newborn erythrocytes, and its reactivity is abolished by sialidase treatment of the erythrocyte. The antibody was found to recognize binary determinants linked to the branched lacto-N-isooctaosylceramide (formula; see text) The presence of an N-acetylneuraminyl group at one end and L-fucosyl group at the other end is essential for the reactivity of the antibody. A substitution at the penultimate D-galactosyl residue of one of the chains with an alpha-D-(1 leads to 3)-linked 2-acetamido-2-deoxygalactosyl or galactosyl group did not inhibit the reactivity of the antibody. The new blood group A- and B-active, branched gangliosides are also isolated and characterized.
Assuntos
Sistema ABO de Grupos Sanguíneos , Aglutininas/análise , Epitopos/análise , Fucose/análise , Glicolipídeos/análise , Ácidos Siálicos/análise , Configuração de Carboidratos , Sequência de Carboidratos , Cromatografia em Camada Fina , Eritrócitos/imunologia , Humanos , Soros Imunes , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Radioimunoensaio/métodosRESUMO
Neolacto-glycosphingolipids, substituted with alpha-NeuAc-(2----3)- and -(2----6)-linked D-Galp residues were analyzed by one- and two-dimensional 1H-n.m.r. spectroscopy at 500 MHz in 49:1 (v/v) di(2H3)methyl sulfoxide-deuterium oxide solution. For the simplest structures analyzed, nLc4Cer, IV3NeuAcnLc4Cer, and IV6NeuAcnLc4Cer, sialosylation-induced changes in shifts of terminal and subterminal core residues were interpretable in terms of existing conformational models. Chemical shifts for H-3e and H-3a of NeuAc characteristic for the type of linkage, were also determined. In addition, regularly reproducible shifts were seen for H-1 and other resonances of terminal and subterminal core residues of all structures tested. Chemical-shift correlations proved to be useful in elucidating the structure of a unique ganglioside bearing an internal beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-[alpha-L-Fucp-(1----3)]-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1---- 3) residue ("X-trisaccharide") with an alpha-NeuAc-(2----6)-substituted terminal group.
Assuntos
Gangliosídeos , Sequência de Carboidratos , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Dados de Sequência MolecularRESUMO
Twelve different species of neutral monohexosyl ceramides (CMHs) and two species of neutral monohexosyl ceramides were isolated from mycelium and yeast forms of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, respectively, by a combination of ion-exchange chromatography, HPLC, and HPTLC. The glucosylceramides did not react with sera from patients with paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). Carbohydrate analysis indicated that CMHs contain glucose. Analysis of 1H-NMR and mass spectrometry data suggest that the structure of the CMHs is Glcp beta 1-->Cer (mycelium forms present 12 different ceramides and yeast forms present 2 different ceramides). The composition of the lipid moieties was analyzed by negative fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. No glycosphingolipid other than glucosylceramide was detected in P. brasiliensis.
Assuntos
Glucosilceramidas/isolamento & purificação , Paracoccidioides/química , AnimaisRESUMO
Specific glycosphingolipid antigens of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis amastigotes reactive with the monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) ST-3, ST-4 and ST-5 were isolated, and their structure was partially elucidated by negative ion fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. The glycan moieties of five antigens presented linear sequences of hexoses and N-acetylhexosamines ranging from four to six sugar residues, and the ceramide moieties were found to be composed by a sphingosine d18:1 and fatty acids 24:1 or 16:0. Affinities of the three monoclonal antibodies to amastigote glycosphingolipid antigens were also analyzed by ELISA. MoAb ST-3 reacted equally well with all glycosphingolipid antigens tested, whereas ST-4 and ST-5 presented higher affinities to glycosphingolipids with longer carbohydrate chains, with five or more sugar units (slow migrating bands on HPTLC). Macrophages isolated from footpad lesions of BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania (L.) amazonensis were incubated with MoAb ST-3 and, by indirect immunofluorescence, labeling was only detected on the parasite, whereas no fluorescence was observed on the surface of the infected macrophages, indicating that these glycosphingolipid antigens are not acquired from the host cell but synthesized by the amastigote. Intravenous administration of 125I-labeled ST-3 antibody to infected BALB/c mice showed that MoAb ST-3 accumulated significantly in the footpad lesions in comparison to blood and other tissues.
Assuntos
Antígenos de Protozoários/imunologia , Glicoesfingolipídeos/imunologia , Leishmania mexicana/imunologia , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais/imunologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB CAssuntos
Gangliosídeo G(M3)/síntese química , Gangliosídeos/síntese química , Animais , Configuração de Carboidratos , Sequência de Carboidratos , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão/métodos , Cromatografia em Camada Fina/métodos , Cães , Eritrócitos/metabolismo , Gangliosídeo G(M3)/análogos & derivados , Gangliosídeo G(M3)/sangue , Gangliosídeo G(M3)/isolamento & purificação , Indicadores e Reagentes , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética/métodos , Dados de Sequência MolecularAssuntos
Polissacarídeos Bacterianos/química , Rhizobium/análise , Sequência de Carboidratos , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Metilação , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Monossacarídeos/análise , Fixação de Nitrogênio/fisiologia , Polissacarídeos Bacterianos/isolamento & purificação , Rhizobium/fisiologiaRESUMO
Several properties of the exchangeable amide protons of the ganglioside GM2 were studied in detail by 1H-NMR spectroscopy in fully deuterated dimethylsulfoxide [2H6]DMSO/2% H2O, and compared with data obtained for the simpler constituent glycosphingolipids GA2 and GM3. In addition to chemical shifts, 3J2,HN coupling constants, and temperature shift coefficients, the kinetics of NH/2H chemical exchange were examined by following the disappearance of the amide resonances in [2H6]DMSO/2% 2H2O. The results included observation of an increase in half-life of the N-acetylgalactosamine acetamido HN by more than an order of magnitude in GM2 compared to GA2, attributable to the presence of the additional N-acetylneuraminic acid residue. Additional one-dimensional dipolar cross relaxation experiments were also performed on nonexchangeable protons of GM2. The results of all of these experiments support a three-dimensional model for the terminal trisaccharide in which a hydrogen bond is formed between the N-acetylgalactosamine acetamido NH and the N-acetylneuraminic acid carboxyl group. The interaction is proposed to be of the pi-acceptor type, a possibility which has not yet been explored in the literature on carbohydrates. The proposed model is discussed in comparison with that of Sabesan et al. (1984, Can J Chem 62:1034-45), and the models of GM1 proposed more recently by Acquotti et al. (1990, J Am Chem Soc 112:7772-8) and Scarsdale et al. (1990, Biochemistry 29:9843-55).
Assuntos
Amidas/química , Ácidos Carboxílicos/química , Gangliosídeo G(M2)/química , Sequência de Carboidratos , Deutério , Ligação de Hidrogênio , Cinética , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Conformação Molecular , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Prótons , TemperaturaRESUMO
Lacto-series glycolipids, comprising two isomeric types distinguished as type 1 or 2 based upon the linkage of the terminal galactose of the chains, form the basis for a diversity of cell surface antigens expressed on cells. Experimentally, type 2 chain precursors are generally more abundant in tissues for extractive purposes to yield rather large quantities of material compared to the type 1 chain structures. Conditions have been defined for in vitro conversion of terminal Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc linkages of type 2 chain precursors to yield type 1 lacto-series chain based terminal Gal beta 1----3GlcNAc structures in 5- to 10-mg amounts or higher. The terminal galactose of underivatized type 2 chain structures is removed by hydrolysis with jack bean beta-galactosidase followed by transfer of galactose in beta 1----3 linkage catalyzed by a beta 1----3-galactosyltransferase from human colonic adenocarcinoma Colo 205 cells which was first depleted of beta 1----4-galactosyltransferase by chromatography on alpha-lactalbumin-Sepharose. Scaled-up reaction mixtures provided a final yield of product after isolation of about 90% from the immediate Lc3Cer precursor in the 5-mg product range. The biosynthetic product was subjected to extensive chemical analysis by 1H NMR and mass spectrometric methods. These results indicated the presence of a high purity terminal Gal beta 1----3-linked product. The amount of material was sufficient for nondestructive characterization by 2-D NMR, with subsequent confirmation of structure by +FAB-MS and methylation analysis by GC-MS. The results indicate an effective means to rapidly generate lacto-series type 1 precursors in vitro as a superior alternative to direct tissue extractive procedures.
Assuntos
Adenocarcinoma/enzimologia , Neoplasias do Colo/enzimologia , Galactosiltransferases/metabolismo , Glicolipídeos/síntese química , Configuração de Carboidratos , Sequência de Carboidratos , Linhagem Celular , Galactosiltransferases/isolamento & purificação , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas , Humanos , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Espectrometria de Massas , Células Tumorais Cultivadas/enzimologiaRESUMO
Biosynthesis of fucose containing lacto-series glycolipids has been studied in human colonic adenocarcinoma Colo 205 cells. Transfer of fucose in both alpha 1----3 linkage to type 2 chain acceptors and alpha 1----4 linkage to type 1 chain acceptors was demonstrated with a Triton X-100 solubilized membrane fraction. The enzyme was found to be highly active over a broad pH range between 6.0 and 7.5. Kinetics of the transfer reactions were studied and indicated that the enzyme had an apparent Km for GDPfucose of 53 and 49 microM with acceptors nLc4 and Lc4, respectively. The apparent Km values for acceptors Lc4, nLc4, and IV3NeuAcnLc4 were determined to be 42, 18, and 26 microM, respectively. Transfer of fucose to the type 1 chain acceptor Lc4 alone and in the presence of increasing concentrations of the type 2 chain acceptor IV3NeuAcnLc4 or Gb3 suggested that both type 1 and 2 acceptors were alternate acceptors for a single enzyme. This was further established by the finding that IV3NeuAcnLc4 behaved as a competitive inhibitor of fucose transfer with respect to Lc4. Conditions were defined for preparative scale in vitro synthesis of fucosylated products of nLc6 catalyzed by the Colo 205 cell enzyme. Yields of the monofucosyl derivative of 2.5 mg (46%) and 1 mg (17%) of the difucosyl derivative were obtained from 5 mg of original nLc6. The structures of these biosynthetic products were carefully studied by 1H NMR, +FAB-MS, and methylation analysis. These studies revealed extremely high purity products composed of III3FucnLc6 and III3V3Fuc2nLc6. The significance of the nature of these products and enzymatic properties is discussed.
Assuntos
Adenocarcinoma/metabolismo , Neoplasias do Colo/metabolismo , Fucose , Glicolipídeos/biossíntese , Adenocarcinoma/enzimologia , Sítios de Ligação , Soluções Tampão , Configuração de Carboidratos , Linhagem Celular , Neoplasias do Colo/enzimologia , Fucose/metabolismo , Fucosiltransferases/metabolismo , Glicolipídeos/metabolismo , Humanos , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Cinética , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Espectrometria de Massas , Metilação , Solubilidade , Células Tumorais Cultivadas/enzimologia , Células Tumorais Cultivadas/metabolismoRESUMO
The glycolipids of blood group type O adult, newborn, and fetal erythrocytes were compared. The total amount of glycolipids was indistinguishable between adult and newborn erythrocytes. However, glycolipids with long and neutral carbohydrates and the H determinant were greatly reduced in newborn cells. On the other hand, the amount of sialylated glycolipids (gangliosides) was significantly higher in newborn cells, suggesting that during erythropoiesis sialyltransferases are more active in fetuses than in adults. The amount of each core structure, lacto-N-tetraosyl, linear lacto-N-hexaosyl, and branched lacto-N-octaosyl, was compared between adult and newborn erythrocytes. It was found that branched lacto-series glycolipids were reduced in newborn cells compared with adult cells. Thus, development from fetal to adult human erythrocytes is associated with an increase of branching and a decrease of sialylation of N-acetyllactosaminyl carbohydrate chains. The study indicates that glycolipids are quantitatively different between adult and newborn or fetus.
Assuntos
Membrana Eritrocítica/imunologia , Sangue Fetal/análise , Glicolipídeos/sangue , Sistema ABO de Grupos Sanguíneos , Adulto , Envelhecimento , Configuração de Carboidratos , Sequência de Carboidratos , Cromatografia Gasosa , Humanos , Recém-NascidoRESUMO
Two major glycolipids reactive with the monoclonal anti-Lea antibody have been isolated from human blood cell membranes. One component was identified as lactofucopentaosyl(II)ceramide and the other as a ceramide heptassaccharide with the structure described below: (formula; see text) The structure includes the Lea determinant (type 1 chain) linked to lactoneotetraosylceramide (type 2 chain); thus, it is regarded to be a hybrid between type 1 and 2 chain. In addition, a minor component having the thin-layer chromatographic mobility of a ceramide nonasaccharide, which was reactive to anti-Lea antibody, was detected. No other component with a thin-layer chromatographic mobility slower than the above components and reactive to the anti-Lea antibody was detected. In contrast, a series of slowly migrating glycolipids having X (Lex) determinant (Gal beta 1----4(Fuc alpha 1----3)GlcNAc) was detected. A similar series of long chain glycolipids having Y (Ley) determinant (Fuc alpha 1----2Gal beta 1----4(Fuc1----3)GlcNAc) was detected in human blood cells; in contrast, only one major Leb glycolipid was found with the mobility of a ceramide hexasaccharide. No glycolipid with a long carbohydrate chain composed exclusively of type 1 chain was detected. Thus, chain elongation may proceed through type 2 chain, but not through type 1 chain. Lea and X (Lex) haptens are distributed equally among blood group A, B, and O red blood cells, whereas the quantity of Leb and Y (Ley) haptens is much lower in A and B blood cells than in O blood cells.
Assuntos
Membrana Eritrocítica/imunologia , Glicoesfingolipídeos/sangue , Antígenos do Grupo Sanguíneo de Lewis/imunologia , Lipídeos de Membrana/sangue , Sistema ABO de Grupos Sanguíneos/imunologia , Anticorpos Monoclonais/imunologia , Membrana Eritrocítica/análise , Glicoesfingolipídeos/imunologia , Glicoesfingolipídeos/isolamento & purificação , Humanos , Lipídeos de Membrana/imunologia , Lipídeos de Membrana/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
A series of blood group H antigens reacting with monoclonal antibody MBrl has been found in human blood group A and AB erythrocytes, but not in O or B erythrocytes. These H antigens are clearly different from the globo-H structure (Fuc alpha 1----2Gal beta 1----3GalNAc beta 1----3Gal alpha 1----4Gal beta 1----4Glc beta 1----1Cer), which was previously isolated from O erythrocytes and is also reactive with the MBrl antibody. The new series of H antigens associated with blood group A has been characterized as having TLC mobilities which approximately coincide with those of H2, H3, and H4 glycolipids. One of these A-associated H antigens, having a similar TLC mobility as the H2 glycolipid, was isolated from A erythrocytes and was characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy, methylation analysis, and enzymatic degradation as having the structure shown below: (formula, see text). The structure represents a precursor of the repetitive A epitope attached to type 2 chain, previously called type 3 chain A (Clausen, H., Levery, S. B., Nudelman, E., Tsuchiya, S., and Hakomori, S. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82, 1199-1203). This A-associated H structure is hereby called type 3 chain H.