Exogenous gangliosides. How do they cross the blood-brain barrier and how do they inhibit cell proliferation.
Gangliosides have been used to treat specific central nervous system lesions and to inhibit proliferation of neuroblastoma cells in vitro. However, the mechanisms by which they (1) cross the blood-brain barrier and (2) inhibit cell proliferation have not been clearly defined. Evidence is presented in support of the hypotheses that (1) serum albumin functions in the transport of gangliosides across the blood-brain barrier, and (2) when gangliosides inhibit cell proliferation, they do so by inhibiting the activity of DNA polymerases alpha and beta.
Schengrund
C L
CL
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey 17033, USA. cschengrund@psu.edu
Mummert
C M
CM
D000818:Animals; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004256:DNA Polymerase I / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019951:DNA Polymerase beta / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D009447:Neuroblastoma; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism
D005732:Gangliosides; D012709:Serum Albumin; D004256:DNA Polymerase I; D019951:DNA Polymerase beta