Studies on glycoproteins and glycopeptides from Tn-polyagglutinable erythrocytes

Direct evidence for the theory that Tn-polyagglutinable erythrocytes have a deficiency of alkali-labile sialic acid and galactose is gained by analysing the carbohydrate moiety of the tryptic glycopeptides with spectrophotometric methods and gas-liquid chromatography. Alkaline borohydride treatment of these glycopeptides specifically releases N-acetylgalactosaminitol. In addition it is shown that mainly the third and the first membrane glycoprotein are affected by the defect.