Signal properties of brain gangliosides.

There are some data on gangliosides--sialo acid-containing complex glycolipids--showing that gangliosides due to their physicochemical properties and specific distribution are able to serve as specific signal molecules in different, evolutionary distant organisms. Individual gangliosides are widespread in the CNS, demonstrating variety of signalling mechanisms. These mechanisms have different degree of molecular complexity and are likely to be the object of natural evolution of gangliosides signal properties. The review summarises data on possible signal properties of gangliosides in terms of their complication and supposed evolution of mechanisms.