A part of glucosylceramide formed from exogenous lactosylceramide is not degraded to ceramide but re-cycled and glycosylated in the Golgi apparatus.

The subcellular fate of glucosylceramide (GlcCer) formed from exogenous lactosylceramide (LacCer) in rat liver is investigated. LacCer radiolabeled on different positions of the molecule was intravenously administered to rats as a liposomal dispersion. A Golgi apparatus fraction 140-fold enriched in specific markers and constituted by intact cisternal stacks, as well as the lysosomal and plasma membrane fractions concurrently prepared from the same homogenate, were then studied in order to determine the time course of radioactive glycosphingolipids. LacCer quickly decreased with time in the plasma membrane, whereas in the lysosomes it increased up to 4 h and decreased thereafter. In both fractions results were regardless of the labeling position. In the Golgi apparatus, LacCer increased up to 12 h and then decreased. In this fraction, the radioactivity values of [Glc-3H]LacCer were over twice those of [Gal-3H]LacCer. GlcCer was found only after [Glc-3H]LacCer administration. In the lysosomes, its time course provided a peak similar in shape but delayed in timing with respect to that of LacCer. Conversely, in the Golgi apparatus GlcCer was earlier formed, but earlier consumed, than LacCer. Gangliosides increased in the Golgi apparatus until 4 h and then decreased after 12 h, whereas in the plasma membrane they were progressively accumulated. In both fractions the amount of [Glc-3H]gangliosides was over twice that of [Gal-3H]gangliosides was over twice that of [Gal-3H]gangliosides. Since we demonstrated that the sugars released in the course of LacCer degradation (LacCer----galactose + GlcCer----glucose + ceramide) are not incorporated into glycoconjugates, we conclude that a part of GlcCer formed during the lysosomal degradation of LacCer actually reaches the Golgi apparatus where it undergoes successive glycosylation.