Complex gangliosides at the neuromuscular junction are membrane receptors for autoantibodies and botulinum neurotoxin but redundant for normal synaptic function

Bullens, R.W.M., O'Hanlon, G.M., Wagner, E., Molenaar, P.C., Furukawa, K., Furukawa, K., Plomp, J.J. and Willison, H.J. (2002) Complex gangliosides at the neuromuscular junction are membrane receptors for autoantibodies and botulinum neurotoxin but redundant for normal synaptic function. Journal of Neuroscience, 22(16), pp. 6876-6884.

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Abstract

One specialization of vertebrate presynaptic neuronal membranes is their multifold enrichment in complex gangliosides, suggesting that these sialoglycolipids may play a major functional role in synaptic transmission. We tested this hypothesis directly by studying neuromuscular synapses of mice lacking complex gangliosides attributable to deletion of the gene coding for β1,4 GalNAc-transferase (GM2/GD2 synthase), which catalyzes an early step in ganglioside synthesis. Our studies show that complex gangliosides are surprisingly redundant for regulated neurotransmitter release under normal physiological conditions. In contrast, we show that they are membrane receptors for both the paralytic botulinum neurotoxin type-A and human neuropathy-associated anti-ganglioside autoantibodies that arise through molecular mimicry with microbial structures. These data prove the critical importance of complex gangliosides in mediating pathophysiological events at the neuromuscular synapse.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Willison, Professor Hugh
Authors: Bullens, R.W.M., O'Hanlon, G.M., Wagner, E., Molenaar, P.C., Furukawa, K., Furukawa, K., Plomp, J.J., and Willison, H.J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Journal of Neuroscience
ISSN:0270-6474
ISSN (Online):1529-2401

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