GM1 ganglioside modulates prostaglandin E1 stimulated adenylyl cyclase in neuro-2A cells.

This study demonstrates modulation by GM1 ganglioside of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)-induced cAMP formation in Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells. Pretreatment of the cells with neuraminidase, an enzyme that increases cell surface GM1, resulted in significant elevation of PGE1-induced cAMP formation, as did preincubation of the cells with nmolar concentrations of GM1. Pretreatment with brain ganglioside mixture lacking GM1 had no effect. Cholera toxin B subunit, a specific GM1-binding ligand, inhibited adenylyl cyclase. When the concentration of exogenous GM1 in which the cells were preincubated was increased from nmolar to mu molar levels there was a dose-responsive fall off in cAMP elevation, attributed to progressive inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by increasing GM1. These results are interpreted as indicating modulation of this PGE1 receptor in Neuro-2a cells by plasma membrane-localized GM1 in a structure-specific manner.