Monosialoganglioside GM₃

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.

Monosialoganglioside GM3 from canine blood has been used as a reference standard in high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) to analyze ganglioside signatures of prostate cancer (CaP) cells. It has also been used to determine ganglioside-binding profiles of methylotrophic yeast (Pichia pastoris) secreted cholera toxin B subunit (PpCTB) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Monosialoganglioside GM3 has a potential role in cancer development and progression. Increased expression of GM3 has been observed in various types of cancer. Hence, it is used as a tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen during cancer vaccine development.

Monosialoganglioside-GM₃ is the most common ganglioside and the major ganglioside in non-neuronal cell membranes. It inhibits epidermal cell growth and is involved in the biosynthesis and metabolism of all higher gangliosides.

The product is soluble at 20 mg/mL in a 1:1 mixture of chloroform and ethanol with 5% water. The resulting solution is colorless