Genetic polymorphism of rat liver gangliosides.

Liver ganglioside patterns of eight rat strains were classified according to two phenotypes: SHR type, characterized by predominance of b-series gangliosides (GD1b, GT1b, GQ1b), and DA type, characterized by predominance of a-series gangliosides (GM1, GD1a). Comparison of ganglioside pattern expressed in the liver of F1 hybrids and backcross F2 hybrids indicated that SHR type is controlled by a single autosomal-dominant gene which probably determines the expression of sialytransferase 2 activity for synthesis of GD3 from GM3.