title: Direct evidence that endogenous GM1 ganglioside can mediate thymocyte proliferation.
abstract: The B subunit of cholera toxin, which is multivalent and binds exclusively to a specific ganglioside, GM1, was mitogenic for rat thymocytes. When exposed to the B subunit, the cells proliferated, as measured by 3H-labeled thymidine incorporation. Mitogenesis depended on the direct interaction of the B subunit with GM1 on the surface of the cells. This demonstrates that endogenous plasma membrane gangliosides can mediate proliferation in lymphocytes.
mesh_terms: D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D002772:Cholera Toxin / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000502:physiology; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside / Q000502:physiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008934:Mitogens; D051381:Rats; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008934:Mitogens; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside; D002772:Cholera Toxin; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases