Ganglioside Biosynthesis in Developing Brains and Apoptotic Cancer Cells: X. Regulation of Glyco-genes Involved in GD3 and Sialyl-Lex/a Syntheses

Diagnosis Value of Membrane Glycolipids Biochemistry Index in Intracranial and Gastrointestinal Tumors

“…Numerous previous studies reported that higher concentration of plasma or serum gangliosides in cancer patients and acute phase inflammation patients comparing healthy individual, but the mechanism is still unclear (Basu et al, 2012). The following reason may properly explain the mechanisms of gangliosides levels raised in intracranial tumors and gastrointestinal tumors.…”

My Mentor- Late Professor Saul Roseman

“…The use of cacodylate buffer was a right decision because much later we realized that heavy metals even in traces could inhibit the active sites of those GSL-GLTs containing active -SH groups. This particular serendipitous discovery opened up the gold-mine of GSL-GLTs (Glycosphingolipid-Glycosyltransferases) in the buffy coat from embryonic chicken brains [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Later, in 1974, we discovered that all of these GSL-GLTs are concentrated in Golgi bodies of different tissues [9].…”

“…Later, in 1974, we discovered that all of these GSL-GLTs are concentrated in Golgi bodies of different tissues [9]. Within next three months before I finished my thesis writing, always having amusing comments by Dr. Roseman, we already characterized four enzymes (SAT-1, GalNAcT-1, GalT-3 and SAT-4) of the ganglioside biosynthetic pathway [6,18], these were included in the thesis in 1966 [6]. Of course, it evolved from Dr. Roseman's deep insight in the subject, our combined dream, and also with the touch of serendipity to both of us at the same time.…”

“…In February 1966 I joined his laboratory at the Johns Hopkins University. Within a year Manju (came from Moy Ghosh's laboratory in Bose Institute in Calcutta; my life time partner joined me in the laboratory of Dr. Roseman and together we explored the synthesis of glucosylceramide (glucocerebroside) [13,14], lactosylceramide [17,18], and galactocerebroside (115) biosynthetic steps and reported by 1968-73. This established the six chosen steps for biosynthesis of normal GD1a ganglioside starting from ceramide [17,18]; these days it is called Basu-Roseman Pathway [18].…”

“…and undergraduate researchers (a total of 170 in last four decades) have discovered 10 more new glycosyltransferases and established pathways for blood groups O, A, B, SA-LeX, Ii, and Globoside Glycolipids. Regulation of these genes after apoptotic induction by L-PPMP, D-PDMP, Betulinic acid, Tamoxifen, cis-platin in breast cancer carcinoma cells (SKBR-3, MDA-468, and MCF-7) was studied in the laboratory of Dr. Basu during the last decade [17,18]. Delivery of these apoptotic agents (potential anti-cancer drugs) in minimum quantities in the most effective way to treat the cancer patients would be the primary goal in the laboratory of CDDRF under the leadership of Dr. Basu at present.…”