Lyso-GM2 ganglioside: a possible biomarker of Tay-Sachs disease and Sandhoff disease.

Takashi Kodama, Tadayasu Togawa, Takahiro Tsukimura, Ikuo Kawashima, Kazuhiko Matsuoka, Keisuke Kitakaze, Daisuke Tsuji, Kohji Itoh, Yo-Ichi Ishida, Minoru Suzuki, Toshihiro Suzuki, Hitoshi Sakuraba

Index: PLoS ONE 6(12) , e29074, (2011)

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Abstract

To find a new biomarker of Tay-Sachs disease and Sandhoff disease. The lyso-GM2 ganglioside (lyso-GM2) levels in the brain and plasma in Sandhoff mice were measured by means of high performance liquid chromatography and the effect of a modified hexosaminidase (Hex) B exhibiting Hex A-like activity was examined. Then, the lyso-GM2 concentrations in human plasma samples were determined. The lyso-GM2 levels in the brain and plasma in Sandhoff mice were apparently increased compared with those in wild-type mice, and they decreased on intracerebroventricular administration of the modified Hex B. The lyso-GM2 levels in plasma of patients with Tay-Sachs disease and Sandhoff disease were increased, and the increase in lyso-GM2 was associated with a decrease in Hex A activity. Lyso-GM2 is expected to be a potential biomarker of Tay-Sachs disease and Sandhoff disease.