Localization of ganglioside GM1 on myelin, in dissociated cells from rat embryonic cerebral hemispheres, using biotinylated choleragen and avidin peroxidase.

The distribution of ganglioside GM1 in primary cultured cells from rat cerebral hemispheres was studied. These dissociated cell cultures are capable of forming myelin. 2',3'-Cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) activity, which is considered to be a good marker for myelin, increased with the onset of myelin formation. Ganglioside GM1 was localized on the myelin-related structures using a biotinylated choleragen and avidin peroxidase technique. The distribution of ganglioside GM1 resembled that of immunostained CNPase.