Isolation and Characterization of a Sulfated Glyceroglucolipid from Alveolar Lavage of Rabbit

Abstract

A major acidic glycolipid of the rabbit alveolar lavage was isolated and characterized. The isolation procedure involved extraction of lipids, column fractionation on DEAE-Sephadex and silicic acid, and TLC. Chemical analysis of the glycolipid revealed the presence of glucose, fatty acids, glycerol mono-ethers and sulfate. By partial acid and alkaline methanolysis, oxidation with periodate and chromium trioxide, and methylation analysis of the native and desulfated compound, the structure of this glycolipid is proposed to be: SO3H-6Glc.alpha.1 .fwdarw. 6Glc.alpha.1 .fwdarw. 6Glc.alpha.1 .fwdarw. 3-1,(3)-O-alkyl-2-O-acylglycerol.