Relationship of glycosyltransferases and mRNA levels to ganglioside expression in neuroblastoma and melanoma cells Journal Article


Authors: Ruan, S.; Raj, B. K. M.; Lloyd, K. O.
Article Title: Relationship of glycosyltransferases and mRNA levels to ganglioside expression in neuroblastoma and melanoma cells
Abstract: Most human neuroblastoma tumors are characterized by the high expression of GD2 (or GD2 and/or GM2) gangliosides, whereas melanomas characteristically express GD3 ganglioside. The molecular basis for these patterns was investigated by examining the relationship between ganglioside levels, glycosyltransferase (GM2/GD2 synthase and GD3 synthase) activity, and corresponding mRNA levels in a panel of human neuroblastoma and melanoma cell lines. In general, the ganglioside patterns could be explained by the levels of the transferases and their mRNA, indicating control at the level of transcription. A key role was noted for GD3 synthase. Notably, it was found that neuroblastoma cell lines with high GD2 ganglioside levels had low levels of GD3, its synthase, and mRNA for the enzyme even though this step provides the substrate for GD2 synthesis. The key role for GD3 synthase was also examined by stably transfecting GD3 synthase cDNA into a neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) not expressing GD3 and GD2. The resulting cell line had high levels of GD2 ganglioside and altered morphology and growth characteristics.
Keywords: controlled study; human cell; cell structure; melanoma; cell growth; enzyme activity; transfection; transcription regulation; neuroblastoma; ganglioside gd2; messenger rna; neuroblastoma cell; melanoma cell; ganglioside gd3; ganglioside gm2; complementary dna; gangliosides; ganglioside; glycosyltransferase; glycosyltransferases; human; priority journal; article
Journal Title: Journal of Neurochemistry
Volume: 72
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0022-3042
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell  
Date Published: 1999-02-01
Start Page: 514
End Page: 521
Language: English
DOI: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.1999.0720514.x
PUBMED: 9930722
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 16 August 2016 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Shutian Ruan
    56 Ruan
  2. Kenneth O Lloyd
    163 Lloyd