Thin-layer chromatographic analysis of myelin lipids, their differential O-deacylation by primary alkylamines and their selective staining by thionine. A limited phylogenetic study.
A silica gel thin-layer chromatographic procedure is described for the study of the myelin lipid patterns in a small phylogenetic series of nerve tissue specimens. It involves the selective staining by the thiazine dye thionine and the interpretations were facilitated by a preceding primary alkylamine O-deacylation step. Glycolipids, including sulfatides, and ethanolamine plasmalogens were the principal characterizing lipids.