CHARACTERIZATION OF CEREBROSIDE (MONOGLYCOSYLCERAMIDE) FROM THE SEA-ANEMONE, METRIDIUM-SENILE - IDENTIFICATION OF THE MAJOR LONG-CHAIN BASE AS AN UNUSUAL DIENIC BASE WITH A METHYL BRANCH AT A DOUBLE-BOND

1. 1. Cerebroside of the sea anemone, Metridium senile, has been isolated (0.6 mg/g dry tissue weight) and structurally characterized. 2. 2. The structure was shown by mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy and degradative studies as β-glucopyranosylceramide. The major fatty acids were 16 : 0 and 20 : 0 d-2-hydroxy fatty acids. The major base was a novel base, d-erythro-1,3-dihydroxy-2-amino-9-methyl-trans-4,trans-8-octadecadiene. 3. 3. Some unusual fatty acids of marine origin are suggested to originate in this long-chain base by metabolic conversion. 4. 4. The implication of the methyl branch position of the base on our current view of Sphingolipid function in the plasma membrane is discussed. © 1979.