Structures, biosynthesis, and functions of gangliosides—An overview

摘要: Gangliosides are sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipids that most abundant in the nervous system. Heterogeneity and diversity of structures their carbohydrate chains characteristic hallmarks these lipids; so far, 188 gangliosides with different have been identified vertebrates. The molecular structural complexity increases manifold if one considers heterogeneity lipophilic components. expression levels patterns brain known to change drastically during development. In cells, primarily, but not exclusively, localized outer leaflets plasma membranes integral components cell surface microdomains sphingomyelin cholesterol from which they participate cell-cell recognition, adhesion, signal transduction. this brief review, we discuss structures, metabolism functions gangliosides.