Effector cell sensitivity to sugar moieties: Inhibition of human natural killer cell activity by tunicamycin

Previously, we proposed a model for natural killer (NK) cell activity involving the recognition of carbohydrate structures on target cells via receptors on the effector cell surface. In order to test whether carbohydrate structures on target cells are necessary for recognition, we have treated target cells with tunicamycin, an antibiotic that inhibits glycosylation of protein. Our data indicate that protein glycosylation is necessary for recognition of a tumor target cell line by NK effector cells.