B4GALNT1 and cancer: Since we isolated cDNA clones of gangliosides GM2/GD2 synthase (B4GALNT1)[16], we have isolated cDNAs of various glycosyltransferases involved in the synthesis of gangliosides, i.e. GD3 synthase (ST8SIA1)[17], GM1/GD1b/GA1 synthase (B3GALT4) [18], GM3 syntase (ST3GAL5) [19], GD1α synthase (ST6GALNT5) [20] and so on, and analyzed functions of their products in the maintenance of homeostasis of normal tissues [4,21], and in the positive/negative regulation of malignant properties of cancer cells [22].