title: The activity of GD3 synthase modulates the ganglioside pattern in rat liver.
abstract: Variations of the ganglioside composition in the livers of Wistar rats correlated with the activity of GD3 synthase in the corresponding liver homogenates. With increasing enzyme activity, higher proportions of b-series gangliosides (GD3, GD1b, GT1b) were detected. No significant changes in the activity of GM2 synthase or GM1 synthase were observed, indicating a regulatory function for GD3 synthase in this tissue. Young animals showed an average GD3 synthase activity of 0.5-0.6 nmol.h-1.mg protein-1 without sex-dependent variations. Among the older animals, however, males expressed an activity five-fold higher than females, suggesting that this enzyme might be affected by hormones.
authors.affiliation: Biochemisches Institut der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schüz-Henninger
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ullmer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prinz
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Decker
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D005260:Female; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012737:Sex Factors; D012799:Sialyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005732:Gangliosides; D012799:Sialyltransferases; C043662:alpha-N-acetylneuraminate alpha-2,8-sialyltransferase