Galactocerebrosides from bovine brain

A mixture of type I (containing α-hydroxy fatty acid) and type II (containing non-hydroxy fatty acid) cerebrosides. Galactocerebroside (GalCer) is a glycosphingolipid, that consists of a single galactose residue, connected to ceramide . GalCer is present within the exofacial leaflet of the lipid bilayer.

Galactocerebrosides from bovine brain has been used to find the receptor activity of surface-immobilized galactosylceramide. It has also been used in sulfatide binding assay.

Galactocerebroside (GalCer) participates in the progression and maintenance of myelin. This oligodendroglial lipid is used as an immunohistochemical tool for studying oligodendrocytes.

Galactose linked to ceramide by a β-glycosidic linkage; the major lipid in adult brain, representing approximately 16% of total lipid; they are mainly localized to myelin and are markedly reduced in demyelinating diseases.