Binding of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF) to its receptor (PDGFR) activates its receptor tyrosine kinase which autophosphorylates tyrosine residues. The p85 regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) binds to specific phosphotyrosines on PDGFR-beta and through the associated p110 catalytic subunit of PI 3-kinase catalyzes the formation of lipids that are involved in intracellular signaling. We examined if GM1 affects interactions between PDGFR-beta and specific proteins involved in PDGFR-mediated signaling. U-1242 MG cells were studied under different growth conditions using immunoprecipitation and Western Blot analysis. PDGF-stimulated the association of PDGFR-beta with p85, ras GTPase-activating protein and PLC gamma. GM1 decreased these associations in parallel with decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of PDGFR. PDGF augmented the activity of PI 3-kinase associated with PDGFR-beta, and this was attenuated by GM1. However, GM1 did not alter SH2 domains of p85. GM1 probably inhibits PDGF-induced signaling proteins with PDGFR-beta by inhibiting phosphorylation of specific tyrosines on the receptor which bind to SH2-domains on signaling proteins.