Cerebrosides contain a glucose (glucocerebroside) or a galactose (galactocerebroside) attached to a ceramide having either hydroxy or non-hydroxy fatty acids. Glucocerebrosides occur in both neuronal and nonneuronal animal tissues where they accumulate in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. Glucocerebrosides are found in low quantities in most plants although there are some plants that are much richer in glucocerebroside.1 Glucocerebrosides are very important in the synthesis of lactosylceramides and gangliosides as they act as the starting unit from which these sphingolipids are produced. Gaucher disease is characterized by an accumulation of abnormal quantities of glucocerebroside in the brain and spleen.2 There has been evidence that glucocerebrosides may have a role in determining plasma membrane cryostability3 and they are a major constituent of skin lipids. Due to the role of gangliosides in cancer, glucocerebrosides are being investigated for anticancer properties.
