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Determination of Tolerable Fatty Acids and Cholera Toxin Concentrations Using Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells and BALB/c Mouse Macrophages
09:39

Determination of Tolerable Fatty Acids and Cholera Toxin Concentrations Using Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells and BALB/c Mouse Macrophages

Published on: May 30, 2013

Cholera toxin and cell growth: role of membrane gangliosides

M D Hollenberg, P H Fishman, V Bennett

    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
    |October 1, 1974
    PubMed

    Insights

    Cholera toxin binding and effects on mouse cells correlate with ganglioside composition. Gangliosides, particularly G(M1), act as receptors and may regulate cell growth and cAMP responses.

    Area of Science:

    • Cell Biology
    • Biochemistry
    • Molecular Biology

    Background:

    • Cholera toxin is a potent bacterial toxin that affects cellular processes.
    • Gangliosides are complex glycosphingolipids found in cell membranes.
    • The interaction between toxins and cell surface receptors is crucial for understanding cellular responses.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the relationship between ganglioside composition and cholera toxin binding.
    • To determine how ganglioside content influences the toxin's effects on DNA synthesis and adenylate cyclase activity.
    • To explore the role of gangliosides as natural receptors for cholera toxin.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized three mouse cell lines with varying ganglioside profiles.
    • Assessed cholera toxin binding affinity to each cell line.
    • Measured the impact of cholera toxin on DNA synthesis rates.
    • Quantified changes in adenylate cyclase activity following toxin exposure.

    Main Results:

    • Cholera toxin binding and cellular response varied directly with ganglioside content.
    • Early passage TAL/N cells, rich in G(M3), G(M2), G(M1), and G(Dla), showed highest toxin binding and sensitivity.
    • Late passage TAL/N cells and SVS AL/N cells, with progressively lower ganglioside levels and specific enzyme activities, exhibited reduced binding and responsiveness.
    • Gangliosides, especially G(M1), were identified as key receptors for cholera toxin.

    Conclusions:

    • Ganglioside composition dictates cholera toxin's interaction with cells.
    • Gangliosides play a significant role in mediating cellular responses to cholera toxin.
    • Gangliosides, particularly G(M1), may be involved in the regulation of cell growth and cyclic AMP (cAMP)-mediated signaling pathways.

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