GANGLIOSIDES OF ANENCEPHALIC AND FETAL BRAIN - IMMUNOSTAINING ON THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAMS

THE expression of gangliosides of ganglio-series as well as neolacto-s eries gangliosides in anencephalic and in normal human fetal brain was compared with that in adult brain by immunostaining on thin-layer chr omatograms. A difference in the expression of ganglio-series gangliosi des with G(M1a) core was found between anencephalic and normal fetal b rain, with less expression of G(M1a) and G(D1a) in anencephaly compare d with normal fetal brain, in which these gangliosides dominate. Small amounts of G(M1a) were detected in fetal brain whereas only traces we re found in anencephalic brain. Lactosamine-containing gangliosides we re present in fetal and in anencephalic brain as alpha 2-3 as well as alpha 2-6 sialylated nLcOse(4)Cer structures. A heterogeneous group of neolacto-series gangliosides was expressed in anencephalic brain in b oth the monosialo- and presumed disialoganglioside range. These findin gs demonstrate a significant change in ganglioside pattern in anenceph aly where the process of cell differentiation and maturation has been severely disturbed.