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Cellular incorporation and localization of fluorescent derivatives of gangliosides, cerebroside and sphingomyelin
Author(s) -
Huang Richard T.C.,
Dietsch Ellen
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/0014-5793(91)80353-5
Subject(s) - sphingomyelin , cerebroside , sphingolipid , biochemistry , fluorescence , chemistry , ceramide , fluorescence microscope , hela , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , in vitro , membrane , apoptosis , physics , quantum mechanics
Fluorescent dansyl derivatives of 3 natural sphingolipids (gangliosides, cerebroside und sphingomyelin) were shown to be readily taken up by culture cells (HeLa‐, MDCK‐ and primary rat brain cells). A part of the incorporated fluorescent sphingolipids remained associated with the cells after incubation in a culture medium containing serum, showing a cellular integration of these lipids. Microscopical studies indicated a localization of incorporated lipids in distinct subcellular regions; whereas dansyl cerebroside densely stained structures suggestive of the cytoskeleton and the actin filament, dansyl sphingomyelin and dansyl gangliosides were primarily associated with the plasma membrane. The findings are consistent with the current views on the arrangement of sphingolipids in animal cells.