cerebrosidit

Cerebrosidit, commonly referred to as cerebroside in many contexts, is a class of glycosphingolipids that consist of a ceramide linked to a single sugar residue, most commonly glucose (glucosylceramide) or galactose (galactocerebroside). These molecules are integral components of cellular membranes, with high abundance in the nervous system, where galactocerebroside is a major constituent of myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system and by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system.

Biosynthesis and function: They are synthesized in the Golgi apparatus by glycosylation of ceramide and can be trafficked to the plasma membrane and lysosomal membranes. Cerebrosides contribute to membrane stability, lipid raft organization, and cell–cell interactions; some variants act as receptors or antigens in immune recognition.

Clinical relevance: Defects in cerebroside metabolism can cause lysosomal storage diseases. Krabbe disease results from deficiency of galactocerebrosidase and leads to accumulation of galactocerebroside and psychosine, causing neurodegeneration. Gaucher disease involves deficiency of glucocerebrosidase, with accumulation of glucocerebroside in macrophages. Abnormal cerebroside turnover has also been implicated in other neurodegenerative disorders.