Isolation and characterization of a novel Forssman active acidic glycosphingolipid with branched isoglobo-, ganglio-, and neolacto-series hybrid sugar chains

Equine kidney and spleen contain a Forssman active glycosphingolipid, and the structure of this glycolipid has been reported to be that of a globopentaosylceramide (GalNAcalpha-1,3GalNAcbeta-1,3Galalpha-1, 4Galbeta-1,4Glcbeta-1,1'Ceramide). We found that equine kidney contains several other anti-Forssman antibody-reactive glycosphingolipids. One of these acidic Forssman active glycosphingolipids was isolated and characterized by means of NMR, mass spectrometry, permethylation studies, and TLC-immunostaining. This glycolipid contains three moles of galactose, one mole of glucose, three moles of N-acetylgalactosamine, one mole of N-acetylglucosamine, and one mole of N-acetylneuraminic acid, and is stained on TLC with anti-Forssman antibodies and anti-GM2 ganglioside antibodies. HOHAHA and ROESY experiments and permethylation studies showed this glycolipid oligosaccharide to be branched at the innermost galactose; one chain has an isoglobo structure with a terminal Forssman disaccharide and the other chain is branched through the linkage of N-acetylglucosaminebeta-1,6 to the inner galactose. The nonreducing end of the GM2 trisaccharide is linked to this glucosamine. The structure of the oligosaccharide of the glycolipid presented here is a novel type, having branched isoglobo-, ganglio-, and neolacto-series oligosaccharides. Mass spectrometric analyses indicated the ceramide moiety of the glycolipid to be composed predominantly of hydroxy fatty acids (C20:0, C22:0, C23:0, C24:0, and C25:0) and hydroxysphinganine. GalNAcalpha-1,3GalNAcbeta-1,3Galalpha-1,3[GalNAcbet a-1, 4(NeuAcalpha-2,3)Galbeta-1,4GlcNAcbeta-1,6]Galbeta+ ++-1,4Glcbeta-1, 1'Ceramide     

Sialylpentaosylceramide detected with anti-GM2 monoclonal antibody. Structural characterization and complementary expression with GM2 in gastric cancer and normal gastric mucosa

The ganglioside fraction of human gastric mucosa was analyzed with a newly established anti-GM2 monoclonal antibody KM531. Using this antibody, accumulation of GM2 was observed in all of four cases of gastric carcinoma. In all ganglioside fractions extracted from normal gastric mucosa obtained from eight cases of peptic ulcer GM2 itself was not detected, but three kinds of glycolipid showing slower mobility than GM2 on thin-layer plates were detected by immunostaining with KM531. These glycolipids were assigned as NGM-1, -2, and -3. They were completely lost in all carcinoma tissues and in non-cancerous gastric mucosa from two cases of gastric cancer, and they were also not detected in the ganglioside fraction of small or large intestine. Of these glycolipids, the major one, NGM-1, was isolated from the pooled ganglioside fraction of normal gastric mucosa obtained from cases of peptic ulcer. The structure was determined by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, negative ion fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and treatment with exoglycosidases and mild acid hydrolysis. The structure was GalNAc beta 1----4(NeuAc alpha 2----3) Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----3 Gal beta 1----4Glc beta 1----1Cer, which has the same terminal sequence as GM2 but has internal neolacto series structure. This epitope was previously identified as Cad blood group antigen. The decrease of this glycolipid and the increase of GM2 was considered to be a cancer-associated change in gastric mucosa.     

Isolation and characterization of gangliosides from Trypanosoma brucei

Gangliosides were isolated from Trypanosoma brucei and analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and TLC immunostaining test. Four species of gangliosides, designated as G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4, were separated by TLC. G-1 ganglioside had the same TLC migration rate as GM3. In contrast, G-2, G-3, and G-4 gangliosides migrated a little slower than GM1, GD1a, and GD1b, respectively. To characterize the molecular species of gangliosides from T. brucei, G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4 gangliosides were purified and analyzed by TLC immunostaining test with monoclonal antibodies against gangliosides. G-1 ganglioside showed the reactivity to the monoclonal antibody against ganglioside GM3. G-2 was recognized by the anti-GM1 monoclonal antibody. G-3 showed reaction with the monoclonal antibody to GD1a. G-4 had the reactivity to anti-GD1b monoclonal antibody. Using 4 kinds of monoclonal antibodies, we also studied the expression of GM3, GM1, GD1a, and GD1b in T. brucei parasites. GM3, GM1, GD1a, and GD1b were detected on the cell surface of T. brucei. These results suggest that G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4 gangliosides are GM3 (NeuAc alpha2-3Gal beta1-4Glc beta1-1Cer), GM1 (Gal beta1-3GalNAc beta1-4[NeuAc alpha2-3]Gal beta1-4Glc beta1-1Cer), GD1a (NeuAc alpha2-3Gal beta1-3GalNAc beta1-4[NeuAc alpha2-3]Gal beta1-4Glc beta1-1Cer), and GD1b (Gal beta1-3GalNAc beta1-4[NeuAc alpha2-8NeuAc alpha2-3]Gal beta1-4Glc beta1-1Cer), respectively, and also that they are expressed on the cell surface of T. brucei.     

Precursor-product relationship between GM1 and GD1a biosynthesized from exogenous GM2 ganglioside in rat liver

The demonstration of a precursor-product relationship in the course of GM1 and GD1a biosynthesis is described in the present paper. We injected rats with GM2 gangliosides [GalNAc beta 1----4(NeuAc alpha 2----3)Gal beta 1----4Glc beta 1----1'Cer] of brain origin, which were isotopically radiolabeled on the GalNAc ([GalNAc-3H]GM2) or sphingosine ([Sph-3H]GM2) residue. We then compared the time-courses of GM1 and GD1a biosynthesis in the liver after the administration of each radiolabeled GM2 derivative. After the administration of [GalNAc-3H]GM2, GM1, and GD1a were both present as doublets, that could be easily resolved on TLC. The lower spot of each doublet was identified as a species having the typical rat brain ceramide moiety and represented gangliosides formed through direct glycosylation of the injected GM2. The upper spot of each doublet was identified as a species having the typical rat liver ceramide moiety and represented gangliosides formed through recycling of the [3H]GalNAc residue, released during ganglioside catabolism. After the administration of [Sph-3H]GM2, only ganglioside with the rat brain ceramide moiety were found, that represented the sum of ganglioside formed through direct glycosylation and those formed through recycling of some sphingosine-containing fragments. In each case, the time-course of GM1 and GD1a biosynthesis exhibited a precursor-product relationship. The curve obtained from the direct glycosylation showed a timing delay with respect to those obtained from recycling of GM2 fragments. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the sequential addition of activated sugars to a sphingolipid precursor is a dissociative process, catalyzed by physically independent enzymatic activities.     

The major acidic glycolipids from the kidney of the Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus keta): characterization of a novel ganglioside, fucosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl-GM1.

Two fractions of a major ganglioside from the kidney of the pacific salmon, Oncorhynchus keta, were eluted from a DEAE-Sephadex column in the monosialosyl fraction. The faster moving ganglioside (X1) on TLC was separated from the slower moving one (X2) by HPLC using a silica beads column. By methylation analysis, chemical and enzymatic degradation, reaction with monoclonal antibodies, LSIMS, and (1)H-NMR spectroscopy, X1 was determined to be a monosialosyl ganglioside belonging to the ganglio-series with a unique Fucalpha1-3GalNAc linkage at the nonreducing terminal: Fucalpha1-3GalNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-3GalNAcbeta1-4[ NeuAcalpha2-3]Galbeta 1-4Glcbeta1-1Cer. Analysis of the lipophilic moiety indicated predominance of 24:1 fatty acid in combination with sphingenine. X2 was found to have a glycon structure identical to X1. The ceramide of X2 consisted predominantly of saturated fatty acids (18:0 and 16:0). The tissue concentrations of X1 and X2 in kidney were 3.7 and 2.8 nmol/g, respectively.     

Cell adhesion, spreading, and motility of GM3-expressing cells based on glycolipid-glycolipid interaction

Cell lines expressing varying levels of ganglioside GM3 at the cell surface show different degrees of adhesion and spreading on solid phase coated with such glycosphingolipids (GSLs) as Gg3 (GalNAc beta 1----4Gal beta 1----4Glc beta 1----1Cer), LacCer (Gal beta 1----4Glc beta 1----1Cer), or Gb4 (GalNAc beta 1----3Gal alpha 1----4Gal beta 1----4Glc beta 1----1Cer) (where Cer is ceramide), which may have structures complementary to GM3, but not on solid phase coated with various other GSLs. The degree of cell adhesion and spreading on Gg3 was correlated with the degree of cell-surface GM3 expression, as defined by reactivity with anti-GM3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) DH2. Only cells with high GM3 expression adhered on solid phase coated with LacCer or Gb4. Adhesion of GM3-expressing cells on Gg3-, LacCer-, and Gb4-coated solid phase is based on interaction of GM3 with Gg3 and, to a lesser extent, with LacCer and Gb4, as demonstrated by: (i) the interaction of the GM3 liposome with solid phase coated with Gg3, LacCer, and Gb4, respectively; (ii) the abolition of cell adhesion on each GSL-coated solid phase by treatment of cells with mAb DH2 or sialidase; and (iii) the inhibition of cell adhesion by treatment of GSL-coated solid phase with mAb specific to each GSL. Sialosyllactosyl-lysyllysine conjugate was bound to Gg3 adsorbed on a C18 silica gel column in the presence of bivalent cation, suggesting that the carbohydrate moiety of GM3 is involved in GM3-Gg3 interaction. Not only the adhesion and spreading of GM3-expressing cells, but also their cell motility was greatly enhanced on Gg3-coated solid phase, as determined by Transwell assay and phagokinetic track assay on a gold sol-coated surface. Spreading and motility of GM3-expressing cells on Gg3-coated solid phase were both inhibited by treatment of cells with mAb DH2 or sialidase. These results provide evidence that not only cell adhesion, but also spreading and motility in these cell lines are controlled by complementary GSL-GSL interaction.     

Structural studies on a binding site for Dolichos biflorus agglutinin in the small intestine of the mouse

Glycoproteins which bound to Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) were isolated from the small intestine of 129/Sv mice. Among oligosaccharides released from the carbohydrate moieties of the glycoproteins by endo-beta-galactosidase, the major one with N-acetylgalactosamine at the non-reducing end was isolated by QAE-Sephadex A-25 column chromatography. The structure of the oligosaccharide was elucidated to be GalNAc beta 1----4(NeuAc alpha 2----3)Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----3Gal by compositional analysis, methylation analysis before and after mild acid hydrolysis, sequential glycosidase digestion, secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The SIMS signal of m/z 1,071 was consistent with the presence of the branched sequence, GalNAc(NeuAc)GalGlcNAc, and the signal was also detected in the high-molecular-weight fraction obtained after endo-beta-galactosidase digestion. The pentasaccharide identified here has the terminal structure of ganglioside GM2, and an apparently identical one has been identified as the epitope of blood group Sda and the DBA binding site in human T-H urinary glycoprotein. Thus, the present result has extended our knowledge of the biological meaning of the oligosaccharide structure and has established that GalNAc beta 1----4(NeuAc alpha 2----3)Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc is a DBA binding site in the small intestine of the mouse.     

Sub-Golgi distribution in rat liver of CMP-NeuAc GM3- and CMP-NeuAc:GT1b alpha 2----8sialyltransferases and comparison with the distribution of the other glycosyltransferase activities involved in ganglioside biosynthesis

Using a sucrose density gradient fractionation of a highly purified Golgi apparatus from rat liver, we determined the sub-Golgi distribution of CMP-NeuAc:GM3 ganglioside alpha 2----8sialyltransferase (GM3-SAT) and CMP-NeuAc:GT1b ganglioside alpha 2----8sialyltransferase (GT1b-SAT), in comparison with that of the other glycosyltransferase activities involved in ganglioside biosynthesis. While GM3-SAT was recovered in several density fractions, GT1b-SAT was mainly found on less dense sub-Golgi membranes; this indicates that these two activities are physically separate. Moreover, with regard to the monosialo pathway, CMP-NeuAc:lactosylceramide alpha 2----3sialyltransferase, UDP-GalNAc:GM3 ganglioside beta 1----4N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase, UDP-Gal:GM2 ganglioside beta 1----3galactosyltransferase, and CMP-NeuAc:GM1 ganglioside alpha 2----3sialyltransferase were resolved from more dense to less dense fractions, respectively. In the disialo pathway, UDP-GalNAc:GD3 ganglioside beta 1----4N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase, UDP-Gal:GD2 ganglioside beta 1----3galactosyltransferase and CMP-NeuAc:GD1b ganglioside alpha 2----3sialyltransferase co-distributed with the corresponding activities of the monosialo pathway. These last results indicate that many Golgi glycosyltransferases involved in ganglioside biosynthesis are localized in the order in which they act.     

Monoclonal antibody directed to a Hanganutziu-Deicher active ganglioside, GM2 (NeuGc)

Spleen cells from NZB mouse immunized with a membrane fraction of rabbit thymus tissue were fused with BALB/c 6-thioguanine-resistant myeloma cells, P3-X63-Ag8.653. One hybridoma clone (Y-2-HD-1) produced IgM immunoglobulin that bound to an N-glycolylneuraminic acid-containing GM2 ganglioside, GM2(NeuGc), which is known to be a Hanganutziu-Deicher antigen. The specificity of the Y-2-HD-1 monoclonal antibody was examined, using authentic glycosphingolipids structurally related to GM2(NeuGc), by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and thin-layer chromatography/enzyme immunostaining, respectively. The monoclonal antibody was found to be highly specific to GM2(NeuGc) and the epitope was a non-reducing terminal GalNAc beta 1-4[NeuGc alpha 2-3]Gal structure. This monoclonal antibody (Y-2-HD-1) bound to native mouse erythrocytes, in which GM2(NeuGc) is a major ganglioside. These results indicate that GM2(NeuGc) is located on the surface of mouse erythrocytes.     

Characterization of the binding epitope of the monoclonal antibody DMAb-1 to ganglioside GM2.

Several derivatives of ganglioside GM2 were synthesized for mapping of the binding epitope of a monoclonal antibody raised against this ganglioside. The GM2 ganglioside was modified in both the hydrophobic and the hydrophobilic part of the molecule. The synthesized derivatives were characterized with fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS). Affinity of the monoclonal antibody for the GM2 derivatives was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on microtitre plates or by TLC immunostaining. Modifying the GM2 sialic acid by deacetylation or blocking of the carboxyl moiety abolished the binding to the monoclonal antibody while the cleaving of the glycol group on the sialic acid tail led to a 70% reduced binding affinity. Removal of the fatty acid (lyso-GM2) eliminated the binding to the antibody. GM2 derivatives with fatty acid moieties of 8 carbon atoms or less showed almost no reactivity. GM2 with saturated fatty acids 16:0, 18:0 and 20:0 had binding affinity similar to natural GM2, while the 24:0 fatty acid had only half the binding affinity. The results demonstrate the importance of ganglioside fatty acid composition with regard to ligand binding between the monoclonal antibody and its specific ganglioside antigen. Thus, caution must be shown in the application of immunaffinity methods with monoclonal antibodies for the quantitative determination of glycosphingolipids from different tissues.     

Glycolipid-lectin interactions: reactivity of lectins from Helix pomatia, Wisteria floribunda, and Dolichos biflorus with glycolipids containing N-acetylgalactosamine

The autoradiographic detection of 125I-labeled lectins binding to glycolipids on thin-layer chromatograms can be used to rapidly analyze total glycolipid extracts of cells or tissues for specific oligosaccharide structures. The Helix pomatia lectin which binds with high affinity to terminal alpha-linked GalNAc residues did not bind to globoside (terminal beta 1-3GalNAc) but did bind the ganglioside GM2 and its asialo derivative which have terminal beta 1-4GalNAc residues. The lectin from Dolichos biflorus bound specifically to the Forssman glycolipid with relatively low affinity. The lectin from Wisteria floribunda was bound to Forssman glycolipid, globoside, and the asialo derivative of the ganglioside GM2. The interactions of these lectins with the glycolipid-derived, 3H-labeled oligosaccharides was also analyzed by affinity chromatography. The results indicated that the reactivity of multivalent carbohydrate-binding proteins with polyvalent surfaces of glycolipids is strong enough to permit detection of low-affinity interactions that may not be observed in binding assays that are based on carbohydrate-protein interactions in solution. The autoradiographic analysis of 125I-Helix pomatia lectin binding to thin-layer chromatograms of total lipid extracts from human erythrocyte membranes detected the quantitative differences in the A-active glycolipids from type A1 and A2 cells.     

Two glycosphingolipid sialyltransferases are localized in different sub-Golgi compartments in rat liver

A highly purified Golgi preparation from rat liver was fractionated on a sucrose density gradient and the activity of two sialyltransferases, CMP-NeuAc: Gal beta 1----4Glc-Cer (lactosylceramide) alpha-2----3sialyltransferase; Sat-1), and CMP-NeuAc:Gal beta 1----3GalNAc beta 1----4(NeuAc alpha 2----3) Gal beta 1----4Glc-Cer (GM1 ganglioside) alpha 2----3sialyltransferase; SAT-4), involved in the biosynthesis of gangliosides were assayed in the collected fractions. These two activities were recovered in different regions of the gradient; SAT-1 was found in a more dense region than SAT-4. This distribution coincided with that of two N-Asn linked oligosaccharide processing enzymes (UDP-GlcNAc:lysosomal enzyme precursor GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase and UDP-Gal:ovalbumin galactosyltransferase), assumed as putative markers of cis- and trans-Golgi cisternae, respectively. These findings are consistent with the assembly of ganglioside oligosaccharide chains occurring in different sub-Golgi compartments.     

A monoclonal antibody that recognizes a cluster of a disaccharide, NeuAc alpha(2----6)GalNAc, in mucin-type glycoproteins

The structure of an epitopic carbohydrate recognized by a monoclonal antibody, MLS 102, was determined. A disaccharide, NeuAc alpha (2----6)GalNAc, the major prosthetic group of ovine submaxillary mucin (OSM) and related synthetic glycosides, NeuAc alpha(2----6)GalNAc alpha----Ser, NeuAc alpha(2----6)GalNAc beta----Ser, and NeuAc alpha (2----6)GalNAc beta----propyl, reacted with MLS 102 to similar extents, but the reaction was considerably weaker compared to that of OSM. This difference in reactivity could be ascribed to the occurrence of a cluster of the disaccharide on OSM. Purification of MLS 102-reactive antigens from a Triton X-100 extract of LS 180 cells by means of immunoaffinity chromatography gave mucin fractions (cMLS 102 antigen) with an OSM-like domain. Correlation between the content of the disaccharide, NeuAc alpha(2----6)GalNAc, in mucins and their reactivity with MLS 102 was observed.     

N-acetylgalactosaminyl disaccharide terminals contained in presumed carbohydrate epitopes specific to sea-squirt allergy

Using the methods of methylation/GLC, MS, and 1H-NMR analyses, a disaccharide structure of GalNAc alpha 1----2Fuc1---- was identified as one of the major structural units at non-reducing terminals of a highly branched and N-glycosidically linked carbohydrate on an allergenically active glycopeptide, Gp-2 (Mr ca. 8,000). Gp-2 was one of the major fractions in the Pronase digest of a sea-squirt antigen, Gi-rep, and is capable of eliciting the skin reaction specific to patients with sea-squirt allergy similarly to Gi-rep. An additional disaccharide structure of GalNAc1----(3/4)HexNAc1---- was also expected as the other major non-reducing terminal unit, though the anomeric configuration of the terminal GalNAc could not be identified. As Gp-2 carbohydrate was found to contain 3 mol each of the two types of terminal GalNAc-containing units, both were nominated as possible components of the IO4- oxidation-sensitive epitopes which are responsible for the allergenic activity in Gp-2 and its mother antigen, Gi-rep. A few moles of Fuc and Gal were also detected as minor non-reducing terminals in addition to the 6 mol of the GalNAc-containing units.     

The glycosphingolipid receptor for Vibrio trachuri in the red sea bream intestine is a GM4 ganglioside which contains 2-hydroxy fatty acids

Three major glycosphingolipids (tentatively designated IGL-1, 2, and 3) were isolated from the intestine of red sea bream (Pagrus major) and were subjected to a TLC-overlay assay with (35)S-labeled Vibrio trachuri which causes vibriosis of fish. The bacteria adhered to IGL-2, which was determined to be a GM4 ganglioside (NeuAcalpha2-3Galbeta1-ceramide). The fatty acid portion of IGL-2 was composed of 2-hydroxy C22:0, C24:0, and C24:1, in addition to the non-hydroxy C16:0 and C18:0, while the sphingoid base was composed exclusively of sphingenine (d18:1). Among glycosphingolipids tested, V. trachuri adhered to GM4 the most strongly followed by adherence to GM3 and GalCer, but the bacteria did not adhere to GM1a, GM2, LacCer, or GlcCer. V. trachuri was found to aggregate with the erythrocytes coated with GM4, but not with those coated with GM1a or GM2, thus indicating that specific adhesion occurs on intact cells. Interestingly, the dynamics for adhesion of V. trachuri to glycosphingolipids was defined by the structure of not only the sugar moiety but also the ceramide moiety, since the bacteria adhered to GM4 which contained 2-hydroxy fatty acids much more strongly than to that which contained non-hydroxy fatty acids.     

Analysis of gangliosides from carp intestinal mucosa

The gangliosides of carp intestinal mucosa were isolated and analysed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), TLC immunostaining test, and TLC/secondary ion mass spectrometry (TLC/SIMS). Four species of gangliosides, designated as G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-4, were separated on TLC. The TLC/SIMS analysis of the G-1 ganglioside of carp intestinal mucosa revealed a series of [M-H](-)ions from m/z 1061 to m/z 1131 representing the molecular mass range of GM4-like ganglioside with NeuAc. G-2, G-3 and G-4 gangliosides were analysed by the TLC immunostaining test. G-2 ganglioside was recognised by the monoclonal antibody specific for ganglioside GM1 (AGM-1 monoclonal antibody). However, G-3 ganglioside migrating on TLC between GM3 and GM1 ganglioside was not recognised by anti-GM3 monoclonal antibody and by AGM-1 monoclonal antibody. Furthermore, G-4 ganglioside with a similar TLC mobility as GD1a ganglioside did not show the reactivity to the anti-GD1a monoclonal antibody. In addition using the AGM-1 monoclonal antibody, the expression of GM1 ganglioside in the carp intestinal tissue was studied. GM1 ganglioside was detected on the epithelial cell surface of carp intestinal mucosa.     

Characterization of two monoclonal antibodies specific for lacto-series type 1 chain Gal beta 1----3GlcNAc-terminal structures

Murine monoclonal antibodies, TE-1 and TE-3, generated by immunization with a biosynthetic reaction product containing a terminal Gal beta 1----3GlcNAc structure have been produced and found to react specifically with underivatized type 1 chain lacto-series carbohydrate structures. Detailed analysis of these antibodies, both IgM, indicates two differing classes of epitope specificity. Antibody TE-1 was found to bind preferentially to longer chain carbohydrate structures containing a terminal Gal beta 1----3GlcNAc disaccharide, indicating that optimal antibody binding involved more than recognition of this disaccharide. In contrast, antibody TE-3 was found to bind strongly carbohydrate structures containing terminal Gal beta 1----3GlcNAc structures irrespective of chain length. Modification of core chain structures by addition of fucose and/or sialic acid residues completely abolished antibody binding with either antibody. TLC immunostaining of neutral glycolipids isolated from a variety of human colonic adenocarcinoma cell lines indicated intensely stained bands, particularly with antibody TE-3, which correlated with the level of expression of type 1 chain based glycolipid derivatives. These antibodies are applied to the detailed study of the regulation of synthesis of lacto-series type 1 chain based carbohydrate structures.     

Isolation and structural elucidation of a novel type of ganglioside, deaminated neuraminic acid (KDN)-containing glycosphingolipid, from rainbow trout sperm. The first example of the natural occurrence of KDN-ganglioside, (KDN)GM3

Rainbow trout sperm contained almost exclusively monoanionic ganglioside fraction as a major acidic glycosphingolipid. Two monoacidic gangliosides were isolated and purified in this study and designated as sperm ganglioside 1 and 2 (sg-1 and sg-2). The two gangliosides, sg-1 and sg-2, contained the same neutral sugars, galactose and glucose in molar ratio of 1:1 and no GalNAc except for the presence of N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (NeuAc) in sg-1 and deaminated neuraminic acid (KDN; 2-keto-3-deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-nononic acid) in sg-2. The complete structures of these gangliosides were determined by a combination of methylation analysis, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, 400-MHz one- and two-dimensional 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, fatty acid analysis, and endoglycoceramidase digestion NeuAc alpha 2----3Gal beta 1----4Glc beta 1----Cer sg-1 [(NeuAc)GM3] KDN alpha 2----3Gal beta 1----4Glc beta 1----Cer sg-2 [(KDN)GM3] where, for both sg-1 and sg-2, the ceramide moieties (Cer) were found to be made up of 4-sphingenine and mainly C16:0 fatty acid (palmitate; 95%) with a minor amount of C24:1 fatty acyl chain (nervonate, 5%). The structure of sg-2 is novel and represents the first example of a new class of gangliosides, i.e. KDN-gangliosides.     

Structure of a ganglioside with Cad blood group antigen activity

The Cad antigen is a rare erythrocyte blood group antigen expressed on both sialoglycoprotein and ganglioside structures. It is related both serologically and biochemically to the Sda blood group antigen expressed on over 90% of Caucasian erythrocytes. We reported previously that Cad erythrocytes contain a novel ganglioside that binds Helix pomatia lectin and inhibits human anti-Sda antibody. We have now purified the Cad ganglioside and determined its structure. The ganglioside contained Glc-Gal-GlcNAc-GalNAc-NeuAc in a molar ratio of 1.00:1.94:0.95:0.93:1.05. Its chromatographic mobility was between that of GM1 and GD3. After treatment with beta-hexosaminidase (human placenta Hex A), the product migrated with 2-3-sialosylparagloboside (IV3NeuAcnLc4OseCer), it no longer bound H. pomatia lectin, and it acquired the ability to bind an antibody to sialosylparagloboside. Treatment of this material with neuraminidase (Vibrio cholerae) yielded a product with the mobility of paragloboside (nLc4OseCer) that bound monoclonal antibody 1B2, which is specific for terminal N-acetyllactosaminyl structures. Treatment of the Cad ganglioside with Arthrobacter ureafaciens neuraminidase yielded a product reactive with monoclonal antibody 2D4, which is specific for terminal GalNAc beta (1-4)Gal structures. These data provide strong evidence that the Cad ganglioside structure is GalNAc beta (1-4)[NeuAc alpha (2-3)]Gal beta (1-3)Gal beta (1-4)GlcCer. 1H NMR analysis also supports the conclusion that the terminal GalNAc is linked beta (1-4) to Gal. High-performance thin-layer chromatographic ganglioside patterns from three blood group Cad individuals showed a direct correlation between the quantity of Cad ganglioside and the strength of Cad antigen expression on the erythrocytes, as measured by hemagglutination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The N-acetylgalactosamine residue of exogenous GM2 ganglioside is recycled for glycoconjugate biosynthesis in rat liver.

A metabolic recycling of N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), liberated from exogenous GM2 ganglioside [nomenclature of Svennerholm (1964) J. Lipid Res. 5, 145-155; IUPAC-IUB recommendations (1977) Lipids 12, 455-468], is demonstrated in rat liver. After the injection of a GM2 ganglioside isotopically radiolabelled on the terminal GalNAc residue ([GalNAc-3H]GM2), the liver retained a large amount of radioactivity distributed among: (1) a glycoprotein/glycosaminoglycan fraction, (2) a ganglioside fraction; and (3) a free-sugar fraction. Furthermore, volatile radioactivity was also found. The relative incorporation in the above fractions was time-dependent. The glycoprotein/glycosaminoglycan fraction contained radioactivity that was located on the GalNAc and GlcNAc residues. The ganglioside fraction was composed of two main families: gangliosides formed by a recycling of the liberated GalNAc, and gangliosides derived by direct utilization of the administered GM2. The free-sugar fraction contained mainly GalNAc. We suggest that GalNAc, after being released in the course of intra-lysosomal ganglioside catabolism, crosses the lysosomal membrane and passes into the cytosol, where the part not degraded is re-utilized for the biosynthesis of the different glycoconjugate classes.