Gangliosides from rat cerebellum: Demonstration of considerable heterogeneity using a new solvent for thin layer chromatography

Abstract

Abstract Using a new solvent (methyl acetate/ n ‐propanol/chloroform/methanol/0.25% aqueous KCl, 25∶20∶20∶20∶17, v/v) and high performance silica gel thin layer chromatographic plates, all common gangliosides found in brain can be easily separated with 1 hr. This system is reproducible and “tailing” is negligible compared with previous solvents. When such a system is applied to separate the gangliosides found during the development of the rat cerebellum, a considerable heterogeneity is observed. Data are presented (using rechromatography experiments, fractionation on DEAE‐Sephadex, treatment with neuraminidase or alkaline medium and carbohydrate analysis) suggesting that the complex profiles obtained with this chromatographic system are not due to chromatographic artifacts but result from the high resolving power of the system. After separation by ion‐exchange chromatography, 28 gangliosides can be detected.