Novel Molecular Mechanisms of Gangliosides in the Nervous System Elucidated by Genetic Engineering.
Int J Mol Sci
; 21(6)2020 Mar 11.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32168753
ABSTRACT
Acidic glycosphingolipids, i.e., gangliosides, are predominantly and consistently expressed in nervous tissues of vertebrates at high levels. Therefore, they are considered to be involved in the development and function of nervous systems. Recent studies involving genetic engineering of glycosyltransferase genes have revealed novel aspects of the roles of gangliosides in the regulation of nervous tissues. In this review, novel findings regarding ganglioside functions and their modes of action elucidated mainly by studies of gene knockout mice are summarized. In particular, the roles of gangliosides in the regulation of lipid rafts to maintain the integrity of nervous systems are reported with a focus on the roles in the regulation of neuro-inflammation and neurodegeneration via complement systems. In addition, recent advances in studies of congenital neurological disorders due to genetic mutations of ganglioside synthase genes and also in the techniques for the analysis of ganglioside functions are introduced.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Glycosyltransferases
/
Acidic Glycosphingolipids
/
Nervous System
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Mol Sci
Year:
2020
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Japan