The different distribution of asialo GM1 and Forssman antigen in the small intestine of mouse demonstrated by immunofluorescence staining.

Our previous studies demonstrated clearly the presence of asialo GM1 in the intestinal mucosa and microvillus membranes of mouse. The present work demonstrated the distribution of asialo GM1 as well as the entirely complementary distribution of Forssman antigen in the small intestine of mouse by immunofluorescence staining. Clear staining of the brush border and basolateral membranes of epithelial cells, the cell membranes of cryptic cells and also some secretory granules was observed with the purified rabbit anti-asialo GM1 IgG and fluorescence-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG. On the other hand, Forssman antigen was demonstrated neither on the brush border membranes nor cryptic membranes, but demonstrated distinctly in the mesenchymal tissue. Such a remarkable difference of distribution of the two glycolipids, which are biosynthesized by different pathways from a common precursor glycolipid (lactosylceramide), indicates that the expression of sugar transferases for elongation of carbohydrate units may be regulated by precise genetic information during organ differentiation.