Perturbation of CNS Functions by Antibodies to Gangliosides. Speculations on Biological Roles of Ganglioside Receptors

Abstract

Since gangliosides are found in the plasma membranes of numerous cell types and interact with apparent specificity with a number of different agents such as toxins, antibodies, and hormones, it is reasonable to regard them as receptor molecules. Our interest in ganglioside receptors stems from their reactions with antibodies. Gangliosides represent only one class of molecules in vertebrate synapses that can be identified as functional components through perturbation of CNS functions by intracerebral administration of antibodies. Since gangliosides are relatively small, stable molecules whose chemistry has been well established, they provide a better focus than other antigenic components of the synapse for developing methods to detect and identify functional molecules. GM1 ganglioside may be especially useful for this purpose since, of the various ganglioside species present in the synaptic membrane, more of the GM1 is exposed on the outer surface and is therefore access-ible to antibodies in the extracellular space.¹