Gangliosides as surface antigens on cells isolated from the rat cerebellar cortex

Abstract

GANGLIOSIDES are a class of complex glycolipids characterised by their content of N-acetyl neuraminic acid. They are present in many tissues, but are found in highest concentration in those of the nervous system. At one time they were thought to be characteristic of the neurone, but the analysis of cell fractions from a number of species indicates that they are present in glia and myelin as well as in the neuronal elements^1,2. The investigation of subcellular fractions suggests that most of the ganglioside is located in the plasma membrane and their functional significance is still uncertain. We have investigated the effect of anti-ganglioside serum on suspensions of cerebellar cells from immature rats. Trypan blue exclusion and ⁵¹Cr release methods were used as indicators of cytotoxic activity. The results indicate that ganglioside is located at the outer surface of the plasma membrane in 60–80%of the cells. The remainder do not seem to exhibit the reactive hapten upon their surface. The experiments also demonstrate the value of complement mediated cytotoxicity as a method of studying surface lipid haptens in the cells of the nervous system.