SSEA-3a

Stage Specific Embryonic Antigen 3a

SSEA-3a is a specific glycosphingolipid that functions as a marker for certain stem cells and some types of cancer cells. Its name is derived from "Stage-Specific Embryonic Antigen-3," a monoclonal antibody that recognizes this particular sugar chain. The carbohydrate epitope is a key marker used in the characterization and isolation of human pluripotent stem cells.