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Reversal of non-hydroxy:alpha-hydroxy galactosylceramide ratio and unstable myelin in transgenic mice overexpressing UDP-galactose:ceramide galactosyltransferase

Fewou, Simon N. and Büssow, Heinrich and Schaeren-Wiemers, Nicole and Vanier, Marie T. and Macklin, Wendy B. and Gieselmann, Volkmar and Eckhardt, Matthias. (2005) Reversal of non-hydroxy:alpha-hydroxy galactosylceramide ratio and unstable myelin in transgenic mice overexpressing UDP-galactose:ceramide galactosyltransferase. Journal of neurochemistry, Vol. 94, H. 2. pp. 469-481.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A5838861

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Abstract

The sphingolipids galactosylceramide and sulfatide are important for the formation and maintenance of myelin. Transgenic mice overexpressing the galactosylceramide synthesizing enzyme UDP-galactose:ceramide galactosyltransferase in oligodendrocytes display an up to four-fold increase in UDP-galactose:ceramide galactosyltransferase activity, which correlates with an increase in its products monogalactosyl diglyceride and non-hydroxy fatty acid-containing galactosylceramide. Surprisingly, however, we observed a concomitant decrease in alpha-hydroxylated galactosylceramide such that total galactosylceramide in transgenic mice was almost unaltered. These data suggest that UDP-galactose:ceramide galactosyltransferase activity does not limit total galactosylceramide level. Furthermore, the predominance of alpha-hydroxylated galactosylceramide appeared to be determined by the extent to which non-hydroxylated ceramide was galactosylated rather than by the higher affinity of UDP-galactose:ceramide galactosyltransferase for alpha-hydroxy fatty acid ceramide. The protein composition of myelin was unchanged with the exception of significant up-regulation of the myelin and lymphocyte protein. Transgenic mice were able to form myelin, which, however, was apparently unstable and uncompacted. These mice developed a progressive hindlimb paralysis and demyelination in the CNS, demonstrating that tight control of UDP-galactose:ceramide galactosyltransferase expression is essential for myelin maintenance.
Faculties and Departments:03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Biomedizin > Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel > Neurobiology (Schaeren-Wiemers)
UniBasel Contributors:Schaeren-Wiemers, Nicole
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Wiley-Blackwell
ISSN:0022-3042
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Last Modified:24 May 2013 09:09
Deposited On:26 Apr 2013 06:57

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