Lubricating cell signaling pathways with gangliosides.
Gangliosides--glycosphingolipids that contain sialic acid--are concentrated in plasma membrane lipid domains that are specialized for cell signaling. Recent evidence indicates that gangliosides have two different roles in cell signaling. They can act in cis to modulate tyrosine kinase receptor function and in trans as ligands for receptors that facilitate communication between cells. These signaling functions of gangliosides may be potential therapeutic targets in cancer, diabetes and nerve regeneration.
Allende
Maria Laura
ML
Genetics of Development and Disease Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1821, USA.
Proia
Richard L
RL
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000378:metabolism; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D005732:Gangliosides; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D011972:Receptor, Insulin; D009439:Neuraminidase