User:Hoetarou/Globoside

Lead
This stage-specific embryonic antigen is present in cellular development and tumorous tissues without the mechanism of Gb4 being completely known. However a study has shown Gb4 directly activates the epidermal growth factor receptor through a ERK signaling. When the globo-series glycosphingolipid (GSL) was reduced in the experiment the ERK signaling from the receptor tyrosine kinase was also inhibited. The ERK was reactivated with the addition of the Gb4 and henceforth heightened proliferation of tumorous cells and opened up the possibility of testing Gb4 for further studies on potential drugs that can target cancerous cells.