GM1 and GM2 gangliosides: recent developments

Year: 2014

Authors: Bisel B., Pavone F., Calamai M.

Autors Affiliation: European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, 50019 Florence, Italy;
National Institute of Optics, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Florence, Italy

Abstract: GM1 and GM2 gangliosides are important components of the cell membrane and play an integral role in cell signaling and metabolism. In this conceptual overview, we discuss recent developments in our understanding of the basic biological functions of GM1 and GM2 and their involvement in several diseases. In addition to a well-established spectrum of disorders known as gangliosidoses, such as Tay-Sachs disease, more and more evidence points at an involvement of GM1 in Alzheimer ’ s and Parkinson ’ s diseases. New emerging methodologies spanning from single-molecule imaging in vivo to simulations in silico have complemented standard studies based on ganglioside extraction.

Journal/Review: JOURNAL OF THE OPTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA B-OPTICAL PHYSICS

Volume: 5 (1)      Pages from: 87  to: 93

KeyWords: amyloid beta protein; ganglioside GM1; ganglioside GM2, cell membrane; degenerative disease; diabetes mellitus; human; metabolism; neoplasm; virus infection, Amyloid beta-Peptides; Cell Membrane; Diabetes Mellitus; G(M1) Ganglioside; G(M2) Ganglioside; Humans; Neoplasms; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Virus Diseases
DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2013-0039