Electron micrographs of human nerve fibers show 10-15 layers of membranous myelin sheath. Upon close examination,...

Electron micrographs of human nerve fibers show 10-15 layers of membranous myelin sheath. Upon close examination, these membranes are particularly rich in sphingolipids specially the glycosphingolipids. What could be the reason why these types of lipids abound in human myelin?

Expert Solution

The reasons why sphingolipids, especially glycosphingolipids are abundant in human myelin are the following:

They form the framework of the myelin sheath by imparting it the necessary stability and structural property
They can regulate influence the events occuring in the cell by forming microdomains in the myelin sheath membrane
Along with cholesterol, they form these microdomains which can be imagined as compartmentalization of these two types of lipids due to the hydrophobic interactions between the acyl chain of the sphingomyelin and the sterol nucleus of cholesterol
Glycoshingolipids and special types of sphingolipids that have carbohydrates attached to their polar head part. They are important because they are involved in the differentiation of neurons and the trasmission of signals in the synapse present at the junction of neurons and glial cells.
When the metabolism of these sphingolips gets disturbed, the symptoms are shown as neurodegenerative disorders. This establishes their importance in the development and maintenance of neurons
These disturbances have direct structural as well as functional effects in the process of cell cycle. and inflammation.

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gladiator answered 2 years ago

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