Existence of glucosaminyl lactosyl ceramide (amino CTH-I) in human erythrocyte membranes as a possible precursor of blood group-active glycolipids.

A novel glycolipid containing N-acetylglucosamine (lacto-N-triose II ceramide, Amino CTH-I) was isolated as a minor component from the ceramide trihexoside fraction of human erythrocyte lipids. This glycolipid was purified by column chromatography and preparative high-speed liquid chromatography on Iatrobeads. Its structure was found to be N-acetylglucosaminyl(beta 1-3)galactosyl(beta 1-4)glucosyl-(beta 1-1)ceramide, so it is suggested that it may be a precursor of paragloboside and blood group-active glycolipids.