Gangliosides, Neuraminidase and Sialyltransferase at the Nerve Endings

Abstract

Gangliosides are characteristic glycolipid components of the plasma membranes of mammalian cells. They are particularly abundant in the nervous tissue, specially the grey matter, where their concentration is about one tenth that of total phospholipids. The high content of gangliosides in the neuronal membranes, the great variety in the composition of their oligosaccharide chains, and their peculiar location in the outer membrane surface are enough evidence to stimulate research and speculation on the possible involvement of gangliosides in brain specific functions. As a matter of fact, gangliosides are just located- the synaptic junctions-where a specialized physiological event takes place, and definitely synaptic membranes would be and would behave differently without gangliosides. However, in order to provide a plausible working hypothesis for any specific roles of gangliosides in brain function, a more precise knowledge on the contribution given by gangliosides to the local environment of the membrane, in terms of capability and quality of interactions with both the lipid and protein components of the membrane itself, is required.