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Sialyltransferase Levels and Ganglioside Expression in Melanoma and Other Cultured Human Cancer Cells¹

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021

Human melanoma cells express high levels of G_M3 and G_D3 gangliosides whereas normal melanocytes have only low levels of G_D3 but maintain their expression of G_M3. In order to understand the basis for this difference, the levels of the sialyltransferase that converts G_M3 to G_D3 (CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid:G_M3 sialyltransferase or G_D3 synthase, EC 2.4.99.8) were analyzed in melanoma and other cell lines. Enzyme levels were determined in vitro using membrane preparations and measuring the addition of [¹⁴C]-N-acetylneuraminic acid from CMP-[¹⁴C]-N-acetylneuraminic acid to G_M3 in the presence of Triton CF-54. Sialyltransferase levels in 44 human cancer cell lines (including melanoma, neuroblastoma, astrocytoma, various carcinomas, and leukemias) and cultures of normal melanocytes and kidney epithelial cells were compared, and the products were identified by thin layer chromatography and fluorography. Melanoma cell lines exhibited the highest levels of incorporation and G_D3 was found to be the major product. G_M3 was also formed, apparently from endogenous lactosylceramide. Very low levels of G_D3 synthase were found in normal melanocytes. Neuroblastoma and some astrocytoma cell lines also had significant levels of G_D3 synthase. Some other cell lines incorporated high levels of radioactivity but the products did not correspond to G_D3 and the major product was usually G_M3. In general the levels of G_D3 synthase correlated with the expression of G_D3 in the various cell types. These results point to higher levels of G_D3 synthase being directly responsible for the enhanced expression of G_D3 in melanoma.

¹ This work was supported in part by National Cancer Institute Grants CA-08478 and CA-21445.

Received 2/ 3/89. Revised 7/17/89. Accepted 8/22/89.

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