Monosialotetrahexosylganglioside (GM1)

GM1 (monosialotetrahexosylganglioside) the "prototype" ganglioside, is a member of the ganglio series of gangliosides which contain one sialic acid residue. GM1 has important physiological properties and impacts neuronal plasticity and repair mechanisms, and the release of neurotrophins in the brain. Besides its function in the physiology of the brain, GM1 acts as the site of binding for both Cholera toxin and E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin (Traveller's diarrhea).

Antibodies to GM1 are increased in Guillain-Barré syndrome, dementia and lupus but their function is not clear. There is some evidence to suggest these antibodies are associated with diarrhoea in Guillain-Barré syndrome.The A1 subunit of this toxin will gain entry to intestinal epithelial cells via the GM1 ganglioside receptor. Once inside, the A1 subunit will ADP ribosylate the Gs Alpha subunit which will prevent its GTPase activity.