Recent progress in the analysis of gangliosides biosynthesis.

Recently, a number of glycosyltransferase genes have been isolated. The majority of glycosyltransferase genes responsible for the synthesis of acidic glycosphingolipids (gangliosides) have been cloned in Japan. Therefore, the total make-up of the regulatory mechanisms of ganglioside synthesis can now be addressed, even though there are still issues remaining as to the detailed specificities of many enzymes. The availability of these glycosyltransferase genes enables us to directly analyze the biological functions of gangliosides by remodelling carbohydrates profiles in cultured cells and experimental animals.