Ganglioside GM1 was shown to increase the viability of PC12 cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide or amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta(25-35)). The PC12 cells transfected with mutant gene (expressing APP(SW)) were found to be more sensitive to oxidative stress than the cells transfected with wild type gene (expressing APP(WT)) or vector-transfected cells, GM1 being effective in enhancing the viability of the cells transfected with mutant gene. The exposure to hydrogen peroxide or Abeta(25-35) results in a partial inactivation of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase in PC12 cells, H(2)O(2) increases MDA accumulation in these cells. But these effects could be partially prevented or practically abolished by GM1 ganglioside. In the presence of the inhibitor of tyrosine kinase of Trk receptors (K-252a) the protective and metabolic effects of GM1 on PC12 cells in conditions of oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide are not observed or are markedly diminished.