SULFATIDES Meaning and
Definition
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Sulfatides are glycolipids that contain a sulfate group as part of their molecular structure. They are composed of a ceramide, which is a lipid with a sphingosine base linked to a fatty acid, and a sugar group attached to the ceramide portion. The sugar can be galactose or glucose, and the presence of a sulfate group distinguishes sulfatides from other glycolipids.
Sulfatides are primarily found in the myelin sheath, a protective covering surrounding nerve fibers in the central nervous system. They play a crucial role in providing structural support and insulation for these nerve fibers, thus facilitating efficient conduction of nerve impulses. In addition to their role in myelination, sulfatides are also involved in cell communication and signal transduction processes.
Beyond the central nervous system, sulfatides can also be found in other tissues, such as the kidney and the gastrointestinal tract, where they are involved in various cellular functions. For example, sulfatides have been implicated in the regulation of ion transport and the maintenance of tissue integrity.
Disruption of sulfatide metabolism can lead to various neurological disorders, such as metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) and multiple sclerosis. In MLD, a deficiency in the enzyme arylsulfatase A results in the accumulation of sulfatides in the nervous system, leading to progressive degeneration of the myelin sheath and impaired nerve function.
In summary, sulfatides are sulfate-containing glycolipids that are essential for myelin formation and maintenance, as well as for normal cellular functions in various tissues.
Common Misspellings for SULFATIDES
- sulfates
- aulfatides
- zulfatides
- xulfatides
- dulfatides
- eulfatides
- wulfatides
- sylfatides
- shlfatides
- sjlfatides
- silfatides
- s8lfatides
- s7lfatides
- sukfatides
- supfatides
- suofatides
- suldatides
- sulcatides
- sulvatides
- sulgatides
Etymology of SULFATIDES
The word "sulfatides" consists of two main components: "sulfate" and "ides".
1. "Sulfate" is derived from the Latin word "sulfur" (meaning sulfur) combined with the suffix "-ate" (indicating a compound containing oxygen and one or more other elements). Sulfur is a chemical element with the symbol S and atomic number 16.
2. The suffix "-ides" is used to form plural nouns from certain singular nouns of Greek or Latin origin. It often indicates chemical compounds or members of a group.
Combining these components, "sulfatides" refers to a group of compounds that contain sulfur and other elements, particularly lipids or fatty substances that have been modified by the addition of sulfate groups.
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