title: GM1 Ganglioside: Past Studies and Future Potential.
abstract: Gangliosides (sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipids) are abundant in neurons of all animal species and play important roles in many cell physiological processes, including differentiation, memory control, cell signaling, neuronal protection, neuronal recovery, and apoptosis. Gangliosides also function as anchors or entry points for various toxins, bacteria, viruses, and autoantibodies. GM1, a ganglioside component of mammalian brains, is present mainly in neurons. GM1 is one of the best studied gangliosides, and our understanding of its properties is extensive. Simple and rapid procedures are available for preparation of GM1 as a natural compound on a large scale, or as a derivative containing an isotopic radionuclide or a specific probe. Great research interest in the properties of GM1 arose from the discovery in the early 1970s of its role as receptor for the bacterial toxin responsible for cholera pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, 20090, Segrate, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aureli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, 20090, Segrate, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mauri
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, 20090, Segrate, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ciampa
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, 20090, Segrate, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prinetti
authors.affiliation: FIDIA Farmaceutici, Abano Terme, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Gino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Toffano
authors.affiliation: FIDIA Farmaceutici, Abano Terme, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Secchieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, 20090, Segrate, Milan, Italy. sandro.sonnino@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sonnino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002772:Cholera Toxin / Q000378:metabolism; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009626:Terminology as Topic
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside; D002772:Cholera Toxin
keywords: Cellular organization of GM1; GM1; GM1 Chemistry and Physico-chemistry; GM1 and Cholera toxin; GM1 and GBS; GM1 and the neurodegenerative diseases; Neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties of GM1