About the structure and biological function of Sulfatide
Structure. Sulfatides (sulfated galactosyl-ceramides, sulfogalactosylceramides, galactosylceramide-sulfates, SO3-GalCer, or Sulf) belong to the group of sulfoglycosphingolipids within the sphingolipids. Their structure consists of a ceramide backbone linked to a sulfated galactose sugar 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. Sulfatides are a main constituent of myelin, the lipid coating around neuronal axons. Changes in brain sulfatide levels are linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and an abnormal sulfatide metabolism has been linked to cancers and autoimmune diseases. They also participate in many cellular processes from protein trafficking to signaling. Further, sulfatides are involved in the regulation of glucose uptake. Antibodies to sulfatides are often present in blood serum before the onset of diabetes.
