Brain cortex gangliosides and (Na+, K+)ATPase system of the stria vascularis in guinea pig.

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the possibility that gangliosides (brain cortex glycosphingolipids) are capable of being functionally incorporated into cell membranes and of interfering with enzymatic activity of the ATPase system on the stria vascularis and spiral ligament in the guinea pig. Labelled gangliosides (3H-GM1) were incorporated into the cell membranes of the tissues under examination. (Na+, K+)ATPase activity increased l0 minutes after intravenous injection of gangliosides and prevented the decrease in (Na+, K+)ATPase system produced by ethacrynic acid. The action of gangliosides on the (Na+, K+)ATPase system is discussed.