A monoclonal antibody reacting specifically with ganglioside GD1b in human brain

A mouse monoclonal antibody directed against one of the major human brain gangliosides, GD1b, has been produced. The antibody binds specifically to the carbohydrate structure of GD1b as it does not react with structurally related gangliosides like GM1, GD2, GT1b or Fuc-GM1, or any other ganglioside of human brain. The results further indicate that terminal galactose as well as the disialosyl group linked to the inner galactose moiety are involved in binding to the antibody.