Effect of a mitogenic concentration on membrane glycoconjugates of human lymphocytes

Periodate oxidation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes followed by reduction with 3H labelled sodium borohydride and acidic hydrolysis generates N-AN 7, glycerol and propane 1-2 diol. This indicates that sialyl, fucosyl and probably galactosyl residues are oxidized by periodate. Neuraminidase-treated lymphocytes exhibit decreased N-AN 7 levels, increased N-AN 8 levels and increased glycerol levels. Such results were neither found with mouse splenocytes nor with calf lymph node cells.