Biochemical characterization of blood group-active glycosphingolipids

Glycosphingolipids are quantitatively minor components of cell lipids. However, their segregation in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane confers to these membranes specific structural and immunological properties. Current methods of extraction, purification and analysis of blood cell glycolipids are presented. Valuable structural data may be obtained by a combination of chemical and enzymatic degradations with thin-layer chromatography and immunological detection by monoclonal antibodies of known specificity. Examples of physical characterization by Mass Spectrometry and Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy are also presented.