CARBOHYDRATE-CARBOHYDRATE INTERACTION AS AN INITIAL STEP IN CELL RECOGNITION

Specific interaction between specific carbohydrate moieties of glycosphingolipids (GSLs) has been demonstrated based on interaction of GSL-containing liposomes with GSL-coated solid phase, and affinity adsorption of multivalent GSL oligosaccharide on solid-phase GSL column. Evidence is presented that such GSL-GSL interaction is an initial step in the cell recognition process. Examples are Le(x)-Le(x) interaction at the morula stage of mouse embryogenesis, Gg3-GM3 interaction in melanoma/lymphoma cell interaction, and galactosylceramide-sulfatide interaction in myelin sheath membrane formation. The molecular basis of such interactions is discussed.