Properties of endogenous, membrane-associated sialidase activity (N-acetylneuraminidase) of the goldfish visual system

The endogenous sialidase (N-acetylneuraminidase) activity of membranes prepared from goldfish retina and optic tectum displays characteristics similar to those reported for neural plasma membrane sialidases of other organisms. Endogenous membrane sialidase activity was found to be optimal at pH 4.0, and maximal release was obtained at 37–50°C, above which temperature thermal instability of the preparations was observed. Optic nerve crush, which results in regeneration of retinal ganglion cell axons, did not result in significant changes in measured endogenous membrane sialidase activity in either the retina or the optic tectum. Enzymatic hydrolysis of membrane sialoglycolipid (ganglioside) accounted for about 70% of the total sialic acid released. Ganglioside GM 1 accumulated as the major lipid product in both retina and tectum, indicating that the inner sialosylgalactosyl linkage in the ganglio oligosaccharide series was resistant to hydrolysis by the endogenous enzyme.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45431/1/11064_2004_Article_BF00965657.pd

Lipid modulation of skeletal muscle mass and function

Loss of skeletal muscle mass is a characteristic feature of various pathologies including cancer, diabetes, and obesity, as well as being a general feature of ageing. However, the processes underlying its pathogenesis are not fully understood and may involve multiple factors. Importantly, there is growing evidence which supports a role for fatty acids and their derived lipid intermediates in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass and function. In this review, we discuss evidence pertaining to those pathways which are involved in the reduction, increase and/or preservation of skeletal muscle mass by such lipids under various pathological conditions, and highlight studies investigating how these processes may be influenced by dietary supplementation as well as genetic and/or pharmacological intervention

OVEREXPRESSION OF CYTOSOLIC SIALIDASE NEU2 INDUCES MYOBLAST DIFFERENTIATION IN C2C12 CELLS

6nonenoneA. Fanzani; R. Giuliani; F. Colombo; M. Presta; A. Preti; and S. MarchesiniFanzani, Alessandro; Giuliani, Roberta; F., Colombo; Presta, Marco; Preti, Augusto; S., Marchesin