Merck, G3767-5MG, Trisialoganglioside-GT1b from bovine brain

General description
Gangliosides are major constituents of neuronal cell membranes and endoplasmic reticulum. They contain a sialated polysaccharide chain linked to ceramide through a β-glycosidic linkage. For classification of gangliosides see Svennerholm, L., et al. (eds.), Structure and Function of Gangliosides, New York, Plenum, 1980.
Application
Trisialoganglioside-GT1b from bovine brain has been used:
in high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC)
in membrane GM1 assays
as reference standards for TLC (thin layer chromatography) and as antigens for ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)

Biochem/physiol Actions
Ganglioside marker for metastatic brain tumors. Modulates cellular differentiation; prevents glutamate neurotoxicity; inhibits mitogenesis stimulated by lectins such as Con A. Converted to GD1b by bacterial and mammalian sialidases.
Analysis Note
Homogeneous aqueous preparations can be obtained by suspending the compound in water, buffer or cell culture medium and sonicating briefly to facilitate the micelle formation.