Synthesis of Sulfatide by Cultured Rat Schwann Cells

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Abstract
The 35S sulfolipids synthesized by purified cultures of rat Schwann cells, fibroblasts and a rat Schwannoma cell line (RN2) were studied. Schwann cell 35S sulfolipids were almost entirely [35S]sulfatide, as shown by TLC in 2 different solvent systems with unlabeled authentic sulfatide run in the same track. RN2 and fibroblasts did not synthesize significant amounts of sulfatide, by the same criteria. No characteristic myelin components, including sulfatide, were previously detected on Schwann cells after several days in culture. Schwann cells apparently continue to synthesize some sulfatide in the absence of neurons.