Structure and function of glycosphingolipids and sphingolipids: recollections and future trends.

ABSTRACT: Based on development of various methodologies for isolation and characterization of glycosphingolipids (GSLs), we have identified a number of GSLs with globo-series or lacto-series structure. Many of them are tumor-associated or developmentally regulated antigens. The major question arose, what are their functions in cells and tissues? Various approaches to answer this question were undertaken. While the method is different for each approach, we have continuously studied GSL or glycosyl epitope interaction with functional membrane components, which include tetraspanins, growth factor receptors, integrins, and signal transducer molecules. Often, GSLs were found to interact with other carbohydrates within a specific membrane microdomain termed "glycosynapse", which mediates cell adhesion wit

SUBMITTER: Hakomori SI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2312460 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature