In
organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, and reactions of organic compounds and organic materials, i.e., matter in its various forms that contain carbon atoms.Clayden, J.; ...
, GM2 is a type of
ganglioside
A ganglioside is a molecule composed of a glycosphingolipid (ceramide and oligosaccharide) with one or more sialic acids (e.g. ''N''-acetylneuraminic acid, NANA) linked on the sugar chain. NeuNAc, an acetylated derivative of the carbohydrate sia ...
. G refers to
ganglioside
A ganglioside is a molecule composed of a glycosphingolipid (ceramide and oligosaccharide) with one or more sialic acids (e.g. ''N''-acetylneuraminic acid, NANA) linked on the sugar chain. NeuNAc, an acetylated derivative of the carbohydrate sia ...
, the M is for monosialic (as in it has one
sialic acid Sialic acids are a class of alpha-keto acid sugars with a nine-carbon backbone.
The term "sialic acid" (from the Greek for saliva, - ''síalon'') was first introduced by Swedish biochemist Gunnar Blix in 1952. The most common member of this gr ...
), and 2 refers to the fact that it was the second monosialic ganglioside discovered. It is associated with
GM2 gangliosidoses
The GM2 gangliosidoses are a group of three related genetic disorders that result from a deficiency of the enzyme beta-hexosaminidase. This enzyme catalyzes the biodegradation of fatty acid derivatives known as gangliosides. The diseases are bette ...
such as
Tay–Sachs disease
Tay–Sachs disease is a genetic disorder that results in the destruction of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The most common form is infantile Tay–Sachs disease, which becomes apparent around three to six months of age, with the baby ...
.
See also
*
Ganglioside GM2 activator protein
GM2 ganglioside activator also known as GM2A is a protein which in humans is encoded by the ''GM2A'' gene.
Function
The protein encoded by this gene is a small glycolipid transport protein which acts as a substrate specific co-factor for the l ...
Additional images
Image:Sphingolipidoses.svg, Sphingolipidoses
Image:Structure of GM1, GM2, GM3.png, Structures of GM1, GM2, GM3 gangliosides
References
External links
*
{{Sphingolipids
Glycolipids