An endogenous inhibitor of N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase inhibits retina neuron differentiation in culture.
An inhibitor of N-acetylgalactosamine:GM3, N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.92) from chicken blood serum, was tested for its activity on embryonic chicken neural retina in culture. The inhibitor did not change the cellular protein content of the cultures but produced a significant reduction of the labeling of gangliosides. The ratio of labeling of GD3 to GD1a increased from about 0.1 to about 0.8 in the cells cultured without or with the inhibitor, respectively. A striking effect of the inhibitor was seen on the morphology of the neurons, those cultured in its presence being practically devoid of neurites. Glial flat cells were apparently not affected.
Quiroga
S
S
Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.
Panzetta
P
P
Caputto
R
R
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003712:Dendrites / Q000187:drug effects; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005700:Galactosyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology*; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D017350:N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferases; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D000097763:Polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005700:Galactosyltransferases; D005732:Gangliosides; D017350:N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferases; D000097763:Polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase; C003742:UDPgalactosamine-galactose acetylgalactosaminyltransferase; C023220:(N-acetylneuraminyl)-galactosylglucosylceramide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase