Sodium Monosialotetrahexosylganglioside

Mutations in the glucocerebrosidase GBA gene, encoding the lysosomal enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase, represent the most frequent genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease, leading to lysosomal dysfunction, α-synuclein aggregation, and mitochondrial impairment. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of GM1 ganglioside and its oligosaccharide portion (OligoGM1) in a cellular model of GBA-associated Parkinson's disease, using SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells carrying the L444P GBA mutation. We observed that both GM1 and OligoGM1 reduced α-synuclein accumulation and improved cell viability. Notably, only OligoGM1 attenuated lysosomal overload and restored mitophagy. Additionally, OligoGM1 significantly prevented 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced toxicity, including lysosomal dysfunction, reactive oxidative species-overproduction, and mitochondrial energy failure, whereas GM1 failed to provide protection. These findings highlight the selective and multifaceted neuroprotective actions of OligoGM1 under both genetic conditions and environmental stress. Due to its small, hydrophilic nature and capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier, OligoGM1 emerges as a promising therapeutic candidate for GBA-related and potentially idiopathic forms of Parkinson's Disease.

Interactions of amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptides with neuronal membrane are associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Ganglioside monosialotetrahexosylganglioside (GM1) lipids have been shown to form clusters that induce the structural conversion of Aβ and promote the incorporation of Aβ into the membrane via the membrane surface electrical potential. Prior to the onset of AD symptoms, GM1 clusters may not have formed but the concentration of GM1 may have already changed, and our question is whether this early concentration modification affects the structure and mechanical properties of the membrane. Using one model for healthy cell membranes and three models for AD cell membranes, we carry out 2 µs all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations for each model to compare the structure and elasticity of the two membrane types. The simulations show that at the physiological concentration, 1%–3%, GM1 does not form clusters. The reduction of the GM1 lipid does not significantly alter the area per lipid, the membrane thickness, and the lipid order parameters of the AD membranes. However, the dipole potential, the bending, and twist moduli are decreased for the AD membranes. We suggest that these changes in the AD membranes are factors that could trigger the interaction and incorporation of Aβ to the membranes. Finally, we show that changes in the sphingomyelin lipid concentrations do not affect the membrane structure and elasticity.