SULFORHODAMINE GM(1)-GANGLIOSIDE - SYNTHESIS AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES

A fluorescent derivative of GM(1)-ganglioside was synthesized by linki ng sulforhodamine 101 to the sphingosine moiety through amino dodecano yl residue. The product (SR-12GM(1)) was quantitatively converted to S R-12GM(2), by treatment with bovine testes beta-galactosidase and in i ntact cultured human skin fibroblasts was catabolized to sulforhodamin e GM(2), GM(3) and ceramide; the latter product was further converted to sphingomyelin. In aqueous medium SR-12GM(1) formed micelles. When t ransfer from micelles to vesicles and between vesicles was compared wi th that of pyrene-GM(1), the transfer of SR-12GM(1) occurred at higher rates, following in both cases a biexponential curve.