title: Milk lipid globules: control of their size distribution.
abstract: Micro lipid droplets fuse with each other in vivo to form larger precursors of milk lipid globules. The extent of fusion dictates the size range of lipid globules in milk. A cell-free system in which micro lipid droplet fusion can be induced has been developed. Fusion was promoted by calcium and a protein complex from cytosol. Exogenously supplied gangliosides were potent fusion-promoting agents. Endogenous gangliosides were detected on micro lipid droplet surfaces by immunocytochemical localization. Monoclonal antibody to disialyllactosylceramide (GD3) inhibited micro lipid droplet fusion. These observations are suggestive of a role for gangliosides in micro lipid droplet fusion in situ.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Valivullah
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Bevan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peat
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Keenan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D003600:Cytosol / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005732:Gangliosides; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008892:Milk / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D005732:Gangliosides; D008055:Lipids