STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF NEUTRAL GLYCOSPHINGOLIPIDS FROM TRYPANOSOMA-CRUZI

The major neutral glycosphingolipids from Trypanosoma cruzi ceramide mono- and dihexosides (CMH and CDH, respectively) were analysed after chromatographic purification using H-1 500 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. The ceramide monohexoside fraction (CMH) contained both glucosyl- and galactosylceramides. After peracetylation, the CMH fraction was separated into 2 subfractions, CMH-C(OH) and CMH-C(n), containing either hydroxy fatty acids or n-fatty acids. In the CMH-C(OH) fraction glucose and galactose were present in a ratio of 2:1, whereas this ratio was 1:1 in the CMH-C(n) fraction. The CDH fraction was identified as lactosylceramide with sphingosine as the long chain base and 16:0, 18:0, and 24:0, 24:4 fatty acids as the major components.