Gangliosides are acidic glycosphingolipids that form lipid rafts in the outer leaflet of the cell plasma membrane, especially in neuronal cells in the central nervous system. They participate in cellular proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, signal transduction, cell-to-cell interactions, tumorigenesis and metastasis. The accumulation of gangliosides has been linked to several diseases. Ganglioside GD3 induces mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) without requiring elevated Ca2+ levels and thus triggers Fas-mediated apoptosis. It modulates the activity of Src-family tyrosine kinase Lyn and cell apoptosis. It is involved in several tumor processes and is high abundant in proliferating cells and in the first stage of neuronal differentiation.