STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL GLYCOINOSITOLPHOSPHOLIPID FROMTHE PARASITIC NEMATODE, ASCARIS-SUUM

A novel glycosphingolipid containing inositol phosphate as an acidic g roup has been demonstrated in whole tissues of the porcine roundworm, Ascaris suum. The thin layer chromatographic pattern of the total acid ic glycolipid revealed the presence of several components, of which a major component (named AGL) with positive reactions toward both orcino l-sulfuric acid (sugar) and molybdate (phosphate) spray reagents was i solated and purified by the use of successive column chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex and silicic acid (latrobeads). From structural studies including compositional sugar analysis, hydrogen fluoride degradation, methylation analysis, periodate oxidation, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, the structur e of AGL was deduced to be Gal alpha 1-2Ins(1 -->)-P-Cer. Aliphatic co nstituents were lignoceric acid and its 2-hydroxy homologue as the pri ncipal fatty acids, and octadecasphinganine and branched heptadecasphi nganine as the major sphingoids.