The chemistry of carcin oembryonic antigen

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Abstract
The structure of carcinoembryonic antigen is being determined as an approach to greater diagnostic specificity in the radioimmune assay. Examination by combined gas chromatography–mass spectrometry of derivatized saccharides from CEA has given a general outline of its carbohydrate structure. Sialic acid and fucose were completely destroyed, and galactose and mannose were partially destroyed by a single periodate treatment. Serial periodate oxidation (Smith degradation) destroyed additional amounts of galactose and mannose, as well as significant amounts of N-acetylglucosamine. Antigenic activity persisted, indicating that the residues destroyed played little, if any, part in the antigenicity of CEA.