Myelin Gangliosides: An Unusual Pattern in the Avian Central Nervous System

Frederick B. Cochran, Robert K. Yu, Susumo Ando, Robert W. Ledeen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Abstract: Gangliosides were isolated from purified myelin obtained from brain and spinal cord of mature chickens and pigeons. Total concentrations were approximately two‐ to fivefold greater than for previously reported mammalian species, and their patterns also differed in containing significantly more sialosylgalactosylceramide (GM4). The latter comprised one‐third to one‐fourth of total myelin ganglioside, approximately equivalent to GM1 (II3NeuNAc‐GgOse4Cer). As in mammals, GM4 of avian CNS appeared to be localized in myelin. Fatty acids of this ganglioside included both the hydroxy‐ and unsubstituted types. and, long‐chain bases were almost entirely C18. Ganglioside GM1 split into two closely migrating bands on TLC, the slower of which resembled mammalian GM1 in having stearate as the main fatty acid with a measurable amount (10%) of C20‐sphingosine; the faster band had predominantly longer‐chain fatty acids and very little C20‐sphingosine.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)696-702
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Neurochemistry
Volume36
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1981
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Avian
  • Central nervous system
  • Ganglioside G
  • Ganglioside G
  • Gangliosides
  • Myelin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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