Application Notes:
This high purity fluorescent product is ideal for the identification of lactosylceramides in samples and biological systems.
NBD has been shown to have only a small influence on lipid adsorption into cells and cellular membranes especially when
the fatty acid is a short chain. This fluorescent analog of natural ceramide is comparable to C6:0-ceramide in many biological
functions.1 Lactosylceramide is the precursor of many other glycosphingolipids and also functions as a second messenger and
protein receptor, making it a very important organic molecule. Many cellular processes are dependent on lactosylceramide
since it is the substrate for neutral oligoglycosylceramides and gangliosides, all of which have their own vital functions.
Lactosylceramide also helps to stabilize the lipid membrane, activate receptor molecules and acts as a receptor for certain
bacteria and toxins. In animals, where it is found mostly in epithelial and neuronal cells, it is expressed on neutrophils and
macrophages where it binds to toxins and bacteria, which are then engulfed and eliminated. Its role as a second messenger
has been found to be vital and dysfunctions in its processes can lead to cancer and inflammation since it is critical to
neutrophil activity and in activating anti-inflammatory responses. Therefore, it is being studied for its use in cancer therapies
and as a therapy for other diseases. Other examples of lactosylceramide second messenger functions are tumor necrosis factor
and platelet-derived growth factor. A deficiency in the enzyme responsible for hydrolyzing the galactose of
lactosylceramide leads to lactosylceramidosis, which is characterized by an accumulation of lactosylceramide that causes a
primary neurological disorder.2 Lactosylceramide is also important in the activation of platelet/endothelial cell adhesion
molecule-1 which causes adhesion and diapedesis of monocytes/lymphocytes.3
References:
1. Y. Hayashi et al. “A sensitive and reproducible assay to measure the activity of glucosylceramide synthase and lactosylceramide synthase using HPLC
and fluorescent substrates” Analytical Biochemistry, Vol. 345(2) pp. 181-186, 2005
2. Glyn Dawson “Glycosphingolipid levels in an unusual neurovisceral storage disease characterized by lactosylceramide galactosyl hydrolase deficiency:
lactosylceramidosis” Journal of Lipid Research, Vol. 13 pp. 207-219, 1972
3. NanLing Gong “Lactosylceramide recruits PKC and phospholipase A2 to stimulate PECAM-1 expression in human monocytes and adhesion to
endothelial cells” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 101:17 pp. 6490-6495, 2004