The function of very long chain fatty acids in membrane structure: evidence from milk cerebrosides

The glucosyl- and lactosyl ceramides isolated from the fat globule membrane and skimmilk phases of cows and goats milks were quantified and analyzed for fatty acid composition. The fatty acid compositions of both cerebrosides were distinctly different from the two phases. Cerebrosides dispersed in the skimmilk contained primarily C₁₈ and shorter carbon chain fatty acids. Those bound in the fat globule (plasma) membrane were constituted mainly of fatty acids with 20 to 25 carbons. The naturally occurring dispersion of lipoprotein-bound cerebrosides containing shorter chain acids in the skimmilk phase may have implications to membrane instability and demyelination.