Gangliosides in the differentiation process of primary neurons: the specific role of GM1-oligosaccharide

In this study, we show that GM1-oligosaccharide administered to mice cerebellar granule neurons by interacting with cell surface induces TrkA-MAP kinase pathway activation enhancing neuron clustering, arborization and networking. Accordingly, in the presence of GM1-oligosaccharide, neurons show a higher phosphorylation rate of FAK and Src proteins, the intracellular key regulators of neuronal motility. Moreover, treated cells express increased level of specific neuronal markers, suggesting an advanced stage of maturation compared to controls. In parallel, we found that in the presence of GM1-oligosaccharide, neurons accelerate the expression of complex gangliosides and reduce the level of the simplest ones, displaying the typical ganglioside pattern of mature neurons. Our data confirms the specific role of GM1 in neuronal differentiation and maturation, determined by its oligosaccharide portion. GM1-oligosacchairide interaction with cell surface receptors triggers the activation of intracellular biochemical pathways responsible for neuronal migration, dendrites emission and axon growth.
Source: Glycoconjugate Journal - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research