NMR of Gangliosides

Gangliosides influence numerous physiological functions through cell-surface interactions with exogenous and endogenous molecules. The importance of the glycan moiety of gangliosides has been demonstrated, and studies are underway to elucidate the mechanisms underlying their physiological functions, particularly with regard to structure-activity relationships. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides unique insight into the chemical structure, conformation, dynamics, and interactions of biological samples at the atomic level. In this chapter, we outline protocols for NMR determination of the chemical structure of gangliosides, with a particular focus on identification of the sialic acid residues, and for analysis of protein-ganglioside interactions by saturation transfer difference NMR.