Fig. 1.

Classification of glycolipids and main types of linkages between their glycosyl and lipid residues. (A) Simple glycolipids (SGLs) comprise glycolipids consisting of glycosyl and lipid residues only, whereas, complex glycolipids (CGLs) contain glycerol, ceramide, phenolic, peptide, nucleoside or polysaccharide residues in addition to the glycosyl and lipid residues. (B) Glycosyl and lipid residues are mainly linked via O-glycosidic and/or ester bonds, and less frequently via N-glycosidic and/or amide bonds.