A receptor on one cell surface binds to its specific ligand on a nearby cell, initiating a cascade of events which regulate cell behaviors ranging from simple adhesion to complex cellular differentiation. Complex carbohydrates, consisting of glycoproteins and glycolipids, decorate all cell surfaces, and represent the most prominent class of cell surface molecules. Members of this large and highly varied family act as ligands for complementary binding proteins, called lectins, on nearby cells. The study of cell surface complex carbohydrates, lectins, and their roles in cell physiology are part of the exciting new discipline called Glycobiology. Current work in our laboratory focuses on the glycobiology of the brain.
Neural cells are rich in a sub-class of cell surface complex carbohydrates called gangliosides.
Myelin loss results in diseases such as multiple sclerosis. We also believe that MAG-ganglioside interactions block axon regeneration after nerve cell damage, such as paralytic spinal cord injury. A molecular understanding of these interactions may provide new ways to intervene in these disorders. Structural specificity and functional implications, Ann. Sheikh, K.A., Sun, J., Liu, Y., Kawai, H., Crawford, T.O., Proia, R.L., Griffin, J.W., and Schnaar R.L. Mice lacking complex gangliosides develop Wallerian degeneration and myelination defects, Proc.