Isolation and characterization of a rat testis glycosphingolipid based on gangliotetraosylceramide and having a blood group B determinant extended with beta 3-linked N-acetylgalactosamine.

Monoclonal antibody 14.2, directed against the GalNAc beta 3Gal alpha 3Gal beta epitope, was used to monitor the isolation of a novel glycosphingolipid from rat testes. Structural analysis was performed by mass spectrometry, proton NMR spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after degradation, and exoglycosidase digestion. It was concluded that the structure was [formula: see text] This is the first report on an extended blood group B determinant.