About the structure and biological function of LacCer
Structure. Lactosylceramides (cytolipin H, or LacCer) belong to the group of diglycosylceramides within the sphingolipids. Their structure consists of a ceramide backbone linked to a lactose molecule. The ceramide backbone contains two hydrocarbon chains: a long-chain base which is linked to a fatty acid via an amide bond. The fatty acid and the long-chain base can be of variable length, hydroxylated, and contain double bonds.
Function. Lactosylceramides serve an important role as key intermediates in the biosynthesis of more complex glycosylated sphingolipids. LacCer is particularly enriched in lipid rafts, subdomains of the plasma membrane, where it is assessed to assist in stabilizing the lipid raft and activating receptors. Lactosylceramides may bind to many species of pathogenic bacteria, and thus acts as a pattern recognition receptor. Further, LacCer is linked to initiating apoptosis and harmful accumulation of LacCer occurs in Fabry’s disease.
