Analysis of cellular expression of gangliosides by gene transfection. II: Rat 3Y1 cells transformed with several DNAs containing oncogenes (fes, fps, ras & src) invariably express sialosylparagloboside.

The transfection of several DNAs, containing oncogenes ras, src, fes or fps, into rat 3Y1 cells invariably induced the neosynthesis of sialosylparagloboside (SPG; IV3 alpha NeuAc nLcOse4Cer), with a concomitant decrease in GM3. All these oncogenes are 'extranuclear' type oncogenes, of which the products are expressed in the cytoplasm or on the cell surface membrane. These results are in striking contrast to those on the transfection of 'intranuclear' type oncogenes (ex., adeno E1) into the same 3Y1 cells, where GD3 neosynthesis was specifically brought about by the transfection.