g(m3)-ganglioside and Glioma

GM3, the simplest ganglioside, modulates cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation in the central nervous system and exogenously added GM3 regulates cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesion and induces apoptosis. To assess the anti-tumor action of exogenous GM3, we examined its effect on the proliferation and invasion of glioma cells. Its inhibitory effect on cell proliferation was demonstrated in vitro by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and in vitro in rats with meningeal gliomatosis whose survival was significantly prolonged by the intrathecal injection of GM3. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay revealed that GM3 induced glioma cell apoptosis in vitro and in vitro. In rat brain slice cultures, GM3 suppressed the invasion of glioma cells; this effect manifested earlier than the inhibition of cell proliferation and before apoptosis induction. Our results suggest exogenous GM3 as a potential therapeutic agent in patients with glioma requiring adjuvant therapy.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Brain; Brain Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; G(M3) Ganglioside; Glioma; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Rats

The simple ganglioside GM3 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in proliferating immature rodent CNS cells. To determine whether GM3 influenced the expansion of human neural tumors the effects of GM3 treatment on primary human brain tumors were assayed. Here we demonstrate that GM3 treatment dramatically reduces cell numbers in primary cultures of high-grade human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors and the rat 9L cell gliosarcoma cell line. By contrast, GM3 treatment had little effect on cell number in cultures of normal human brain. A single injection of GM3 3 days after intracranial implantation of 9L tumor cells in a murine xenograft model system resulted in a significant increase in the symptom-free survival period of host animals. The effects of GM3 were not restricted to GBMs and 9L cells. Cultures of high-grade ependymomas, mixed gliomas, astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and gangliogliomas were all susceptible to GM3 treatment. These results suggest that GM3 may have considerable value as a selectively toxic chemotherapeutic agent for human high-grade gliomas.

Topics: Animals; Brain Neoplasms; Cell Death; Cell Division; Cell Survival; Child, Preschool; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; G(M3) Ganglioside; Glioblastoma; Glioma; Humans; Male; Mice; Rats; Transplantation, Heterologous; Tumor Cells, Cultured

We found that sparse and confluent C6 glioma cells differ both in GM3 content, which increases with cell density, and in endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis, which was markedly higher in the sparse cells than in the confluent. Also after manipulation of the cellular GM3 content through treatment with exogenous GM3 or with drugs known to affect GM3 metabolism, the ET-1 effect was inversely related to GM3 cellular levels. Cell treatment with an anti-GM3 mAb resulted in the enhancement of ET-1-induced phospholipase C activation and restored the capacity of GM3-treated cells to respond to ET-1. These findings suggest that the GM3 ganglioside represents a physiological modulator of ET-1 signaling in glial cells.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Endothelin-1; G(M3) Ganglioside; Glioma; Kinetics; Neuroglia; Phosphatidylinositol Diacylglycerol-Lyase; Phosphatidylinositols; Rats; Signal Transduction; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Type C Phospholipases

Ganglioside sialic acid content was examined in the U87-MG human glioma grown as cultured cells and as a xenograft in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. The cultured cells and the xenograft possessed N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc)-containing gangliosides, despite the inability of human cells to synthesize NeuGc. Human cells express only N-acetylneuraminic acid (NeuAc)-containing gangliosides, whereas mouse cells express both NeuAc- and NeuGc-containing gangliosides. Small amounts of NeuGc ganglioside sialic acid (2-3% of total ganglioside sialic acid) were detected in the cultured cells, whereas large amounts (66% of total ganglioside sialic acid) were detected in the xenograft. The NeuGc in gangliosides of the cultured cells was derived from gangliosides in the fetal bovine serum of the culture medium, whereas that in the U87-MG xenograft was derived from gangliosides of the SCID host. The chromatographic distribution of U87-MG gangliosides differed markedly between the in vitro and in vivo growth environments. The neutral glycosphingolipids in the U87-MG cells consisted largely of glucosylceramide, galactosylceramide, and lactosylceramide, and their distribution also differed in the two growth environments. Asialo-GM1 (Gg4Cer) was not present in the cultured tumor cells but was expressed in the xenograft, suggesting an origin from infiltrating cells (macrophages) from the SCID host. The infiltration of mouse host cells and the expression of mouse sialic acid on human tumor cell glycoconjugates may alter the biochemical and immunogenic properties of xenografts.

Topics: Animals; G(M2) Ganglioside; G(M3) Ganglioside; Gangliosides; Glioma; Humans; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, SCID; N-Acetylneuraminic Acid; Neoplasm Transplantation; Neuraminic Acids; Transplantation, Heterologous; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Human glioma cell line KG-1C contains GM3 ganglioside as its sole glycolipid. The degree of M2590 antibody binding to GM3 was found to be regulated by the cell density; the percentage of positive cells in FACS analysis decreased from approximately 20% to close to none as the cells increased their density from sparse to confluent. The contents of GM3 with different cell densities were consistent, being more than 0.4 micromol/g of the cellular weight, which was high enough to be recognized by the antibody. Trypsin treatment of the cells did not increase antibody reactivity. The extracted GM3 retained its antigenicity, being intensely stained with M2590 on a TLC plate; there was no change in chromatographic mobility either, indicating no modification of its chemical structure. The fluorescent microscope disclosed scattered dot-like staining of GM3, particularly at the periphery of the cells. We were able to expose cryptic GM3 fully within 12 h by dispersion of the cells to a sparse density. Surface labeling of GM3 with the use of limited sodium periodate oxidation of sialylated residue equally labeled GM3 either from the confluent cells or the sparse cells. Disassembly of actin filaments with cytochalasin B (10 microM) partially exposed cryptic GM3 of confluent cells, indicating reversibility of the crypticity. All together, the results indicate that cryptic GM3 actually exists on the cell surface, hidden from the surface not by other molecules but by other mechanisms associated with the cellular architecture. We are beginning to explore the possibility of selective localization of GM3 in small caves or folds of the cell membrane produced upon cell-to-cell contact.

Topics: Antigens, Neoplasm; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cell Count; Cell Membrane; Cytochalasin B; Flow Cytometry; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; G(M3) Ganglioside; Glioma; Glycolipids; Humans; Neuraminidase; Tumor Cells, Cultured

An O-acetyl group was selectively introduced into the ceramide moiety at the C-3-O on ganglioside GM3 containing N-acetyl neuraminic acid, the product of which has been previously found in rat glioma tissue as a glioma-associated ganglioside. The introduction of the acetyl residue involved a two-step process involving per O-acetylation of GM3 and saponification with a mild alkaline solution in a bilayer system constituted of water and water-immiscible organic solvent. Of the several solvents studied, 2-pentanol and diethyl ether gave the highest yields (68% and 62%, respectively). The chemical structure of the synthesized 3-O-acetyl GM3 was confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry, as well as by comparing the mobilities on thin-layer chromatography of its exoglycosidase-digested products with those of the synthesized, authentic 3-O-acetyl-lactosylceramide and ceramide. Furthermore, the substrate specificities of both 3-O-acetyl GM3 and 3-O-acetyl sphingomyelin toward exo- and endo-hydrolases were examined, revealing that they were hardly cleaved by the endoglycoceramidase and sphingolipid N-deacylase for the 3-O-acetyl GM3 and by sphingomyelinase for 3-O-acetyl sphingomyelin. Thus, the enzymes were found to recognize a free C-3 hydroxyl group on ceramide.

Topics: Acetylation; Animals; Antigens, CD; Carbohydrate Sequence; Ceramides; Ether; G(M3) Ganglioside; Glioma; Glycoside Hydrolases; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hydrolases; Hydrolysis; Lactosylceramides; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Molecular Sequence Data; Pentanols; Rats; Solvents; Spectrometry, Mass, Fast Atom Bombardment; Substrate Specificity

A novel O-acetylated GM3 containing 3-O-acetyl 4-sphingenine was isolated with one having a non-acetylated base from transplanted rat glioma tissue. The presence and position of the acetyl group were estimated by one- and two-dimensional proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometries. In addition, the O-acetyl GM3 showed higher immunological activity toward anti-melanoma antibody in the presence of non-acetylated GM3 in complement-dependent liposome lysis than did non-acetylated or acetylated GM3 alone in the liposome, suggesting enhancement of immunological reactivity of the intact tumor cells by a small amount of O-acetyl GM3.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Cell Line; Ceramides; G(M3) Ganglioside; Glioma; Liposomes; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Mice; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Spectrometry, Mass, Fast Atom Bombardment; Tumor Cells, Cultured

C6 rat glioma cells incubated in serum-free medium with D-[14C]glucosamine secrete, on stimulation with nerve growth factor (NGF) or monosialogangliosides (MSGs), several glycoproteins (Gps), the most prominent of which are a 270-, 220-, and 69-kDa Gp. Several growth factors, hormones, phorbol ester, and disialo- and trisialogangliosides did not stimulate secretion. Western blot analysis of the conditioned medium from C6 cells stimulated with NGF or MSG identified one distinct band of approximately 220 kDa for fibronectin and J1/tenascin, which comigrated. Antiserum to NGF prevented NGF-stimulated release and also blocked MSG-evoked release. The 220-kDa band was labeled after pulse labeling with [35S]methionine in the presence of NGF, and by a 15-min chase period radioactively labeled J1/tenascin could be immunoprecipitated. Tunicamycin drastically inhibited almost completely release of the 220-kDa Gp labeled by D-[14C]glucosamine or [35S]methionine. These results extend the range of neurotrophic properties attributed to NGF to cells of glial origin and suggest that NGF regulates secretion of extracellular matrix proteins. MSG stimulation of fibronectin and J1/tenascin secretion may be mediated by NGF or an NGF-like molecule also secreted by the C6 glioma cells.

Topics: Animals; Blood; Blotting, Western; Carbohydrate Sequence; Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; Extracellular Matrix Proteins; Fibronectins; G(M1) Ganglioside; G(M2) Ganglioside; G(M3) Ganglioside; Gangliosides; Glioma; Glucosamine; Glycoproteins; Glycosylation; Kinetics; Molecular Sequence Data; Molecular Weight; Nerve Growth Factors; Rats; Tenascin; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tunicamycin

The enzymatic basis for ganglioside regulation during differentiation of NG108-15 mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid cells was studied. This cell line contains four gangliosides that lie along the same biosynthetic pathway: GM3, GM2, GM1, and GD1a. Chemically induced neuronal differentiation of NG108-15 cells led to an 80% drop in the steady-state level of their major ganglioside, GM3, a sixfold increase in the level of a minor ganglioside, GM2 (which became the predominant ganglioside of differentiated cells); and relatively little change in the levels of GM1 and GD1a, which lie further along the same biosynthetic pathway. The enzymatic basis for this selective change in ganglioside expression was investigated by measuring the activity of two glycosyltransferases involved in ganglioside biosynthesis. UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine: GM3 N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (GM2-synthetase) activity increased fivefold during butyrate-induced differentiation, whereas UDP-galactose: GM2 galactosyltransferase (GM1-synthetase) activity decreased to 10% of its control level. Coordinate regulation of these two glycosyltransferases appears to be primarily responsible for the selective increase of GM2 expression during NG108-15 differentiation.

Topics: Alprostadil; Animals; Bucladesine; Cell Differentiation; G(M1) Ganglioside; G(M2) Ganglioside; G(M3) Ganglioside; Galactosyltransferases; Ganglioside Galactosyltransferase; Gangliosides; Glioma; Hybrid Cells; Kinetics; Mass Spectrometry; Mice; N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferases; Neuroblastoma; Polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase; Rats; Theophylline; Tumor Cells, Cultured

We have investigated the ganglioside levels, composition and metabolism in two lines of doxorubicin-resistant cells and in the corresponding wild strains, the C6 rat glioblastoma and the HTC rat hepatoma. The only ganglioside present was GM3, and its level was increased 2-fold in C6 resistant cells and decreased nearly 2-fold in HTC resistant cells. A decrease of cytidine 5'-monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid:galactosylglucosylceramide sialyltransferase activity was observed in both resistant lines as compared to sensitive ones, and could not, therefore, explain the increase in the GM3 level observed in the C6 resistant line. Alterations of acid neuraminidase activity were also observed; a 5-fold decrease was noticed in the C6 resistant line and could account for the increase in the GM3 level observed in these cells; in contrast, a 2-fold increase of acid neuraminidase activity was noticed in the HTC resistant cells: together, with reduced synthesis, it could explain the decrease in the GM3 level observed in these cells. No alterations of exogenous ganglioside transport was exhibited by the C6 resistant cells.

Topics: Animals; beta-D-Galactoside alpha 2-6-Sialyltransferase; Biological Transport, Active; Cell Line; Doxorubicin; Drug Resistance; G(M3) Ganglioside; Gangliosides; Glioma; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental; Neuraminidase; Rats; Sialyltransferases

Addition of GM3 (10(-7) or 5.10(-5) M) did not affect the specific activity of adenyl and guanyl cyclase in confluent cultures of C6 glioma cells. Higher concentrations inhibit the cyclases.

Topics: Adenylyl Cyclases; Animals; Cells, Cultured; G(M3) Ganglioside; Gangliosides; Glioma; Guanylate Cyclase; Rats

Rat glioma X mouse neuroblastoma hybrid neurotumor cells (NG108-15), synchronized by amino acid deprivation, showed a cell-cycle-dependent peak of activity of a ganglioside N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase 14-24 h following release from the cell cycle block (S/G2 phase). Maximal expression of two typical lysosomal hydrolases, N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase and beta-galactosidase, occurred between 18 and 21 h following release (S phase), declining to G1 phase levels during the peak of N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) transferase activity. In addition, glycosyltransferase activity in G2 phase cells showed an increase in apparent Vmax (suggesting the presence of more enzyme/mg of cell protein) and apparent binding affinity for uridine diphosphate N-acetylgalactosamine (UDP-GalNAc) (32 versus 14 microM) when compared to transferase activity in the G1 phase. However, the opioid peptide enkephalin [D-Ala2, D-Leu5], which inhibits ganglioside GalNAc transferase activity in unsynchronized NG108-15 cultures, was much more inhibitory in whole cells 8 h after release from the cell cycle block (G1 phase) than in cells 20 h after release (G2 phase), with 50% inhibition occurring at 2 X 10(-9) M and 2 X 10(-7) M, respectively. These results suggest that the GalNAc transferase activity is regulated in more than one way during the cell cycle, since both Vmax and Km changes are observed, and that the cyclic AMP-dependent mechanism by which opiates reduce transferase activity is receptor mediated and cell cycle dependent.

Topics: Animals; Cell Cycle; Enkephalin, Leucine; Enkephalin, Leucine-2-Alanine; Enkephalins; G(M2) Ganglioside; G(M3) Ganglioside; Galactosyltransferases; Gangliosides; Glioma; Hybrid Cells; Kinetics; Mice; N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferases; Neuroblastoma; Rats