The effects of asbestos on plasma membrane; surface glycolipids and glycoproteins of Syrian hamster embryo cells.

Syrian hamster embryo cells were treated with galactose oxidase (EC 1.1.3.9) followed by reduction with tritiated sodium borohydride (NaB3H4) at pH 7.4. Labeling patterns of galactose and galactosamine in glycolipids and glycoproteins were determined by thin-layer chromatography and SDS-gel electrophoresis respectively. After 20 hours of interaction between the chrysotile asbestos and Syrian hamster cell cultures, a decrease in surface labeling of both glycolipids and glycoproteins was observed. Tritiated disialoganglioside (GDla) and the higher molecular weight labeled glycoproteins were significantly reduced by asbestos interaction.