title: Association of glucocerebroside homolog biosynthesis with Schwann cell proliferation.
abstract: The biosynthesis of myelin-associated glycolipids was studied in quiescent secondary cultures of Schwann cells and in rapidly proliferating population of transfected Schwann cells (TSC) by in vitro incorporation of [3H]galactose. The TSC demonstrated a marked increase (> 10-fold) in [3H]galactose incorporation when compared to quiescent Schwann cells. The level (or amount) of [3H]galactose incorporation into lipids is dependent upon the number of TSC in culture. The majority of 3H-labeled lipids were oligohexosylceramides (GL-2, GL-3, and GL-4). Substrates that inhibit TSC proliferation, collagen type I and Matrigel, and artificial basement membrane, decrease the [3H]galactose incorporation by 25% and 80%, respectively. Our results indicate that the synthesis of glucocerebroside and its homologs is associated with Schwann cell proliferation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania 15213.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Yoshino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000952:Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005690:Galactose / Q000378:metabolism*; D005699:Galactosylceramides / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005963:Glucosylceramides / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007700:Kinetics; D051381:Rats; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013539:Simian virus 40 / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D000952:Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming; D005699:Galactosylceramides; D005963:Glucosylceramides; D005690:Galactose