MOLECULAR-CLONING OF CDNA FOR RAT-BRAIN GD3-SYNTHASE

The complete nucleotide sequence of the cDNA coding for rat GD3-syntha se was determined for the first time using PCR and the rapid amplifica tion of cDNA ends (RACE) procedures. The deduced amino acid sequence c onsists of 359 residues. The protein contains a potential transmembran e domain with a short N-terminus and such highly conserved regions as the sialylmotifs. An antisense oligonucleotide derived from the rat GD 3-synthase cDNA was applied to the cultures of rat cerebellar neurons and results showed a decrease in the synthesis of ganglioside GD3, ind icating that the expression of GD3-synthase was modulated by the antis ense sequence. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.