Biosynthesis of gangliosides, a c r i t i c a l process i n early development of neurological function,was studied in 3 week old r a t s . Analysis of the glycosylation steps in the biosynthetic pathway has been impeded due t o the d i f f i c u l t y i n solubilizing the membrane bound glycosyl transferase enzymes. W e have solubil ized UDP-gal Gm2 ganglioside galactosyltransferase from r a t l i v e r Golgi by detergent extraction. Two isozymes which catalyzed the synthesis of Gml ganglioside were separated by DEAE chromatography. Peak I , the more basic form, and Peak 11, the more acidic form were highly unstable following chromatography but could be stored a t -20°C i n 50% glycerol. pH optima f o r Peaks I and I1 wer 7 and 6. The Ys f o r UDP-gal f o r Peaks I and I1 were 7.9 x M and 4.7 x 10-M; Kms f o r Gm2 were 2.6 x 10-5 M and 1.5 x
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.