# GLYCOSPHINGOLIPIDS IN ONCOGENESIS AND DIFFERENTIATION

> **NIH NIH R01** · SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY · 1990 · $123,173

## Abstract

Our previous work has focused on the structural characterization
of human leukocyte and leukemia cell antigens.  We have established
that human leukocytes express lineage-specific glycosphingolipid
antigens, and that several leukocyte-specific monoclonal antibodies
bind to carbohydrate sequences carried by glycosphinoglipids.  The
complete structures of two complex myeloid-specific
glycosphingolipid antigens recognized by these antibodies have
recently been determined.  Finally, the existence of a leukemia-
associated glycosphingolipid antigen, GD3, has also been
established.

In the current proposal, we will extend this work by using
biochemical and chemical techniques which include TLC
immunostaining with carbohydrate sequence-specific monoclonal
antibodies and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB/MS),
to determined the structure of other glycosphingolipid antigens
that carry the epitope recognized by the myeloid-specific antibody,
VIM-8.  With these techniques and a procedure that combines the
resolving power of thin-layer chromatography with the sensitivity
of FAB/MS, we propose to obtain structural information on highly
complex myeloid-specific (VIM-2) gangliosides.  We also propose
experiments to measure the activity and specificity of
glycosyltransferases which synthesize the leukocyte, lineage-
specific and leukemia-associated glycosphingolipid antigens that
have previously been identified.  A new antibody-based ELISA
procedure will be used to determine the level of expression of
these glycosyltransferases in normal human leukocytes and leukemia
cells.  These proposed experiments will (1) provide information on
the structures of cell surface markers of normal human leukocytes
and leukemia cells, and (2) establish the enzymatic basis for their
biosynthesis.  This fundamental information is needed to determine
the mechanisms which lead to the expression of specific cell
surface markers during normal differentiation and leukemogenesis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3170659
- **Project number:** 5R01CA032826-09
- **Recipient organization:** SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** F4SLJ5WF59F6
- **Principal Investigator:** Bruce A. Macher
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $123,173
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1987-07-01 → 1991-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3170659

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3170659, GLYCOSPHINGOLIPIDS IN ONCOGENESIS AND DIFFERENTIATION (5R01CA032826-09). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3170659. Licensed CC0.

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