Immobilized Enzymes and other Materials for the Study of Mammalian Cell Surfaces

Abstract

The branched chain sugar molecules that extend from the surface of mammalian cells appear to play key roles in the regulation of cell growth and cell differentiation, the immune response, and trans-membrane as well as intercellular communication. These sugar chains, known as glycolipids or glycoproteins, extend from protein or lipid moities that are embedded in the ordered lipid bilayer membrane that encloses the cell. In addition, these lipid or protein moieties are capable of undergoing lateral and rotational diffusion within the bilayer membrane. This relative movement of the membrane components gives rise to changing localized surface concentrations of specific cell surface sugars (1, 2). The purpose of this short chapter is to point out a few of the possibilities for the use of immobilized enzymes and other compounds in the study and modification of cell surface constituents.