Glycoconjugate expression during embryogenesis and its biological significance

Many stage-specific embryonic antigens (SSEAs) have been identified as glycoconjugates. These molecules may play diverse roles in the development of the embryo, including regulation of cell growth, recognition, and differentiation. The example of SSEA-1 is described in detail. This molecule appears to play an essential role in compaction of the early mouse embryo, and may illustrate the general importance of carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions in controlling cell surface interactions in development.