Abstract
Gangliosides are a family of sialic acid containing glycosphingolipids highly enriched in plasma membranes of the vertebrate nervous system. They are functionally diverse in modulating nervous system integrity, notably at the node of Ranvier, and also act as receptors for many ligands including toxins and autoantibodies. They are synthesised in a stepwise manner by groups of glycosyl- and sialyltransferases in a developmentally and tissue regulated manner. In this review, we summarise and discuss data derived from transgenic mice with different transferase deficiencies that have been used to determine the role of glycolipids in the organisation of the node of Ranvier. Understanding their role at this specialised functional site is crucial to determining differential pathophysiology following directed genetic or autoimmune injury to peripheral nerve nodal or paranodal domains, and revealing the downstream consequences of axo-glial disruption.