A ceramide analogue (PDMP) inhibits glycolipid synthesis in fish embryos.
Glycolipids were depleted from medaka embryos using 1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PDMP), an inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthetase. Embryos cultured in the presence of 20 microM PDMP exhibited a dramatic decline in glycolipid synthesis and cell surface expression. Metabolic labeling of glucosylceramide declined by 87% on Days 3-6 of development and 72% on Days 7-10 (hatching occurred on Day 10). In parallel, PDMP-treated embryos exhibited a striking loss of several tissue-specific glycolipid antigens, including 9-O-acetyl GD3 from brain and retina, GT3/GQ1C from brain, neural tube, and retina, and sulfated glycolipid from skin and gut. Despite these changes in glycolipid expression, PDMP-treated embryos were fully viable with no evidence of developmental abnormality. PDMP appears to provide a useful tool for identifying glycolipid antigens in embryos and investigating their role in development.
Fenderson
B A
BA
Biomembrane Institute, Seattle, Washington 98119.
Ostrander
G K
GK
Hausken
Z
Z
Radin
N S
NS
Hakomori
S
S
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009025:Morpholines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009990:Oryzias / Q000196:embryology*; D013696:Temperature
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006017:Glycolipids; D009025:Morpholines; C033110:RV 538