b-series Ganglioside deficiency exhibits no definite changes in the neurogenesis and the sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis but impairs regeneration of the lesioned hypoglossal nerve.
The polymorphic carbohydrate structures of gangliosides play regulatory roles. In particular, b-series gangliosides, all of which contain alpha-2,8 sialic acids, have been considered to be critical in various biological events such as adhesion, toxin binding, neurite extension, cell growth, and apoptosis. To clarify the physiological functions of b-series gangliosides in vivo, we have established a gene knockout mouse of GD3 synthase. Although all b-series structures were deleted in the mutant mice, they showed an almost complete nervous tissue morphology with no apparent abnormal behavior. Moreover, no differences in Fas-mediated apoptotic reaction of lymphocytes between wild type and the mutant mice were detected. However, the mutant mice exhibited clearly reduced regeneration of axotomized hypoglossal nerves compared with the wild type, suggesting that b-series gangliosides are more important in the repair rather than in the differentiation of the nervous system and apoptotic process induced via Fas.
Okada
Masahiko
M
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan.
Itoh Mi
Michi-ichiro
M
Haraguchi
Masashi
M
Okajima
Tetsuya
T
Inoue
Masahiro
M
Oishi
Hideto
H
Matsuda
Yoichi
Y
Iwamoto
Tsutomu
T
Kawano
Toshihiro
T
Fukumoto
Satoshi
S
Miyazaki
Hiroshi
H
Furukawa
Keiko
K
Aizawa
Shinichi
S
Furukawa
Koichi
K
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology*; D007002:Hypoglossal Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D012799:Sialyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000502:physiology*
D005732:Gangliosides; D019014:fas Receptor; D012799:Sialyltransferases; C043662:alpha-N-acetylneuraminate alpha-2,8-sialyltransferase