[3] Globoside 4 (Gb4) has been known as the receptor for parvovirus B19, due to observations that B19V binds to the thin-layered chromatogram of the structure.
[4] Additional research using the technique Knockout Cell Line has shown that although GB4 does not have the direct entry receptor for B19V, it plays a post-entry role in productive infection.
[5] Globoside 4 (Gb4) are a type of SSEA, stage-specific embryonic antigen, that 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.