The structure and chemistry of sulfatides

Recent advances in the chemistry of cerebroside sulfates which have led to a precise formulation of their structure and to a detailed knowledge of their composition are reviewed. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the constituent fatty acids and sphingosine‐type bases of cerebrosides and sulfatides have shown a close relationship between the cerebrosides and their sulfate esters. Sulfatides were converted into cerebrosides in high yield by mild desulfation with methanolic HCl at room temperature. The products of partial degradation of cerebrosides舒ceramide and psychosine舒were found to be identical to the products obtained under similar conditions from desulfated sulfatides. By methylation and periodic acid oxydation, the sulfate group has been located conclusively and apparently only at C‐3 of the galactose moiety in the sulfatide molecule. ख ॆ‐configuration of the galactosidic linkage in cerebrosides and in sulfatides has been demonstrated by direct comparison of the products of periodate oxidation of dihydropsychosine obtained from cerebrosides and from sulfatides, with the products of oxidation of 1‐D‐glycerityl ॆ‐D‐galactoside of known configuration. Investigations of the composition and structure of sulfatides abnormally accumulated in the brain and kidneys in cases of metachromatic leukodystrophy, a demyelinating disorder, are reported.