Isolation of cerebroside containing glucose (Glucosyl ceramide) and its possible significance in ganglioside synthesis

A small amount of cerebroside containing glucose (glucosyl ceramide) was isolated from bovine brain by Florisil column chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. The fatty acids of the glucosyl ceramide were palmitic and stearic acids; small amounts of oleic and linoleic acids were present. Rat brain tissue slices, incubated with U-¹⁴C-glucose, incorporated more radioacivity into glucosyl ceramide than into galactosyl ceramide. From these results the possible metabolic significance of the brain glucosyl ceramide in ganglioside metabolism is discussed.