ISSN:
1432-0533
Keywords:
Key words GM1-gangliosidosis
;
Ultrastructure
;
Electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry
;
Diagnosis
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The post-mortem diagnosis of lysosomal storage diseases can be confounded by the unavailability of suitable material. Here we report the diagnosis of GM1-gangliosidosis in a cross-bred dog, from which only formalin-fixed brain was available, by a combination of electron microscopy and the detection of elevated levels of GM1-ganglioside within the tissue using the novel technique of electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry. Electron microscopic examination of ultrathin sections of resin-embedded tissue revealed cytoplasmic inclusions (membranous cytoplasmic and zebra bodies) in brain stem and cerebellar neurons that were characteristic of a gangliosidosis. Glycolipids were extracted from the fixed tissue and analysed by tandem mass spectrometry. Two major ions were detected, which corresponded to GM1 (d18:1–C18:0) and GM1 (d20:1–C18:0). Their identity was confirmed by comparison of their fragmentation patterns with those of authentic standards. The concentration of GM1 was approximately sixfold higher on a wet weight basis than in the brain of a normal control dog, confirming the diagnosis of GM1-gangliosidosis.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004010000187
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