Monosialoganglioside GM3 can have anti-tumor effects by regulating cell apoptosis, angiogenesis. Monosialoganglioside GM3 can also regulate peripheral insulin receptor signaling and increases in GM3 in adipose tissue of obese humans may contribute to insulin resistance.
Monosialoganglioside GM3 from canine blood has been used as a reference standard in high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) to analyze ganglioside signatures of prostate cancer (CaP) cells. It has also been used to determine ganglioside-binding profiles of methylotrophic yeast (Pichia pastoris) secreted cholera toxin B subunit (PpCTB) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Gangliosides are major constituents of neuronal cell membranes and endoplasmic reticulum. They contain a sialated polysaccharide chain linked to ceramide through a β-glycosidic linkage. For classification of gangliosides see Svennerholm, L., et al. (eds.), Structure and Function of Gangliosides, New York, Plenum, 1980.
Monosialoganglioside GM3 has a potential role in cancer development and progression. Increased expression of GM3 has been observed in various types of cancer. Hence, it is used as a tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen during cancer vaccine development.
