Gangliotetraosyl-ceramide, the rat T lymphocyte-macrophage-associated antigen: chemical detection and cellular distribution.

The presence of gangliotetraosyl-ceramide, i.e., Gal beta 1 leads to 3GalNAc beta 1 leads to 4Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc beta 1 leads to Cer, the T lymphocyte-macrophage-associated antigen, on lymph node cells, thymic lymphocytes, and peritoneal exudate cells of the rat was established. For this, the glycosphingo-lipids of the cells were extracted and isolated by a microseparation and detection method. In contrast to immunoglobulin-negative rat lymph node cells, immunoglobulin-bearing lymph node cells showed no detectable gangliotetraosyl-ceramide.