Structure of Neuritogenic Active Ganglioside from the Sea CucumberStichopus japonicus

Abstract

A ganglioside molecular species SJG-1 has been obtained from the n-hexane soluble lipid fraction of the chloroform/methanol extract of the sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus. On the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence, the structure of SJG-1 has been determined. SJG-1 possesses an N-glycolylneuraminic acid (sialic acid), nonhydroxy fatty acids and phytosphingosine-type long-chain bases as major ceramide components. The ganglioside SJG-1 exhibits neuritogenic activity toward the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 cells in the presence of NGF.