Studies on neuronal lipid.

The procedure for bulk preparation of nerve-cell perikarya from pig brain-stem is briefly described. This method has definite merits with regard to the preservation of the intracellular structures as well as the preservation of the processes. The chemical composition of the isolated nerve-cell perikarya is presented. The nerve-cell perikarya are characterized by the absence of cerebroside and sulfatide. Diffuse distribution of ganglioside on the cell surface is suggested. The lipid content of the nerve-cell perikarya isolated by different methods is discussed. Lipid composition of the invertebrate nervous tissue is discussed. The submicrosomal membranes of rat brain are isolated, and their chemical and morphological properties are discussed. Ribosome-free membranes are characterized by the high content of glycolipids including gangliosides, as well as by the high activity of Na, K-ATPase, whereas ribosome-bound membranes are characterized by the absence of glycolipids, as well as by the low activity of Na, K-ATPase. The molecular organizations of lipid in submicrosomal membranes are demonstrated.