The molecule is an anionic ganglioside obtained by deprotonation of the neuraminosyl carboxy group of ganglioside GM2 (18:0); major species at pH 7.3. It is an anionic ganglioside and a beta-D-GalNAc-(1->4)-[alpha-Neu5Ac-(2->3)]-beta-D-Gal-(1->4)-beta-D-Glc-(1<->1')-Cer(1-). It is a conjugate base of a ganglioside GM2 (18:0).
(2S,4S,5R,6R)-5-acetamido-2-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-5-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6R)-3-acetamido-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-2-[(2R,3S,4R,5R,6R)-4,5-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[(E,2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-2-(octadecanoylamino)octadec-4-enoxy]oxan-3-yl]oxy-3-hydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-4-yl]oxy-4-hydroxy-6-[(1R,2R)-1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl]oxane-2-carboxylate