Glycolipids

Phosphorus-free substances belonging to the lipoid family, which have a carbohydrate component that is glycosidically bound to sphingosine. Glycolipids are important structural components of cell membranes, especially in nervous tissue.

Cerebrosides: contain sphingosine which is amide-like linked with a saturated C24 fatty acid or a corresponding alpha-hydroxy fatty acid (e.g. cerebronic acid) to form a ceramide. Typically, the glucose or galactose residue is glycosidically linked via the primary alcohol group of sphingosine. Occurrence: brain (11% of dry matter), erythrocytes, leukocytes, liver, spleen, adrenal glands. Biological representatives are: kerasin, cerebron, nervon and others.

Gangliosides: Glycolipids the substances structurally very similar to cerebrosides in which sphingosine is amide-like attached to a molecule of fatty acid as in cerebrosides.The glycosidically attached carbohydrate part consists of glucose, galactose, fucose, acetylgalactosamine or N-acetylgalactosamine (max. 4 sugar residues). Associated with this sugar moiety are 1 or more molecules of sialic acid (or neuraminic acid). Gangliosides are found in the grey matter of the brain, in the spleen, erythrocytes, kidneys, adrenal glands and other organs.