Characteristics of the brain tissue disialoganglioside G2a.

Disialoganglioside G2a was separated by one dimensional two-step TLC between the two ganglioside fractions using long plate precoated with silica H+ florisil in the particular solvent system. Behaviour of this fraction to the enzyme effect and molecule percentages of its components showed the characteristics of the ganglioside containing two N-acetylneuraminic acids. Synthesis dynamics of this fraction in rat brain was very intensive in the myelination period and it practically ended in 40th day. In mutant "Jimpy" mice brain ganglioside G2a served as an indicator of the normal ganglioside synthesis in relation to the changes in myelin sphingolipid molecular structure. Comparative brain studies undertaken in various species, intracellular rat brain fractions, various structures of Torpedo ocellata electric fish, emphasized the importance of this ganglioside in cell membrane formation where it is obligatory component. Quantitative determination of this fraction in Astrocytoma with various malignancy degree offers great help in differential diagnosis.