Ganglioside GM2 is substrate for a sialidase in MDCK cells

FEBS Lett. 1998 May 22;428(1-2):115-7. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(98)00510-9.

Abstract

GM1 ganglioside carrying a fluorescent fatty acid in substitution of the natural one, has been administered to cultured Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells for different pulse times (0.5-24 h), and its metabolic fate was followed. The fluorescent GM2, asialo-GM2, asialo-GM1 and ceramide were the only detectable metabolites. The complete absence of fluorescent GM3 is consistent with the presence in these cells of a sialidase working on GM1 and GM2 gangliosides. After treatment of the cells with chloroquine the fluorescent GM1 remained essentially undegraded, indicating a catabolic processing at lysosomal level.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Dogs
  • G(M1) Ganglioside / metabolism
  • G(M2) Ganglioside / metabolism*
  • Neuraminidase / metabolism*
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • G(M2) Ganglioside
  • G(M1) Ganglioside
  • Neuraminidase