[Gangliosides in neurobiology]

Gangliosides are glycosphingolipids with important implications for cellular differentiation, development and function of the nervous system. Ganglioside concentrations and patterns change with the animal species, ontogenetic developmental stage and the type of cell and area of the nervous system. Major metabolic pathways are revised and potential mechanism for the functional implications of gangliosides are discussed. These include interactions with extra-cellular matrix components and ligands and modulation of membrane functions and genome expression.