title: The specific glycosphingolipid composition of human ureteral epithelial cells.
abstract: Total non-acid and acid glycolipid fractions were isolated from epithelial cell scrapings and the non-epithelial residue of a human upper ureter. The glycolipid fractions were structurally characterized as total mixtures by thin-layer chromatography, mass spectrometry, and proton NMR spectroscopy. Selected structural information was also obtained on binding of monoclonal antibodies and bacteria to the thin-layer chromatograms. The major epithelial cell glycolipids were Glc beta 1-1ceramide (75%), dihexosylceramide (10%) and NeuAcLacceramide (10%). In addition, 8 minor glycolipids belonging to the blood group P, Lewis and ABO systems were identified. The major glycolipids of the non-epithelial residues were mono- and dihexosylceramides together with globotriaosyl- and globotetraosylceramides. The epithelial mono- and diglycosylceramide compounds had an unusual ceramide composition with mainly C18 and C20 trihydroxy long chain bases in combination with C22-C24 hydroxy fatty acids in contrast to the non-epithelial glycolipids which contained mainly C18 dihydroxy long chain bases in combination with C16-C24 non-hydroxy fatty acids.
mesh_terms: D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000032:analysis; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D006028:Glycosphingolipids / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000032:analysis; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis*; D014513:Ureter / Q000032:analysis* / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D005227:Fatty Acids; D006028:Glycosphingolipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D002784:Cholesterol